asked the Minister for the Environment if there is a stipulation in respect of building contracts approved by or financed in whole or in part by his Department prescribing the use of cement certified by the IIRS.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Specification.
6.
The standard conditions of contract which apply to local authority building works require that the materials used by the contractor conform to specification. Local authorities were advised by my Department to amend the specification for cement with effect from 1 July 1984 to ensure that only portland cement certified to the appropriate IIRS standard is used on works in which they are involved either by way of total or part financing. The requirement also applies to cement used in the manufacture of concrete and other cement based products.
Could the Minister state if this regulation and stipulation relates to private contracts in which public money in the form of loans and grants is involved?
This was issued to local authorities because local authorities are the bodies for whom I have the responsibility. I can issue these instructions to local authorities. Other agencies and Departments may have responsibility and I am not sure what they have done. I can inform only as to the responsibility of my Department.
Would the Minister agree that the usage of cement has dropped very considerably due to the cutbacks in the public capital programme and that this has resulted in redundancies in the cement industry? The fact that considerable quantities of cement have been imported has aggravated this situation and it is important that any regulation would cut all expenditure whether by way of loans or grants.
I am glad the Deputy has raised the question about unemployment and jobs because that is what we are about.
Would the Minister agree that the tariff imposed on cement imported into this country from other countries outside the EEC is something around 50p whereas the tariff——
Deputy, a question.
It is because——
It is introducing the questions that are impossible.
I have asked a very small number of questions, if I make comparisons which I do not intend to do.
The number is important but the relevance is even more important.
The tariff per ton here is about 50p. The tariff from non-EC countries into other EC countries is between £7 and £10 and I am asking the Minister if he will increase the tariff from that 50p in line with the tariff from non-EC countries into the EC.
That is not for my Department.
Will the Minister take it up with the relevant Department?
We will bring it up with the Department.