asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that foreign slates are being used on houses under Housing Schemes throughout the country; that there are large stocks of Irish slates available, that the workers in Irish slate quarries are working only part time, and that while Irish slates are being so little used in Ireland they are being exported to France.

Local authorities have been obliged to use imported slates owing to the inability of Irish Slate Companies to supply in sufficient quantities and sizes within reasonable periods. The use of imported slates is not approved of, in any case, until it is definitely shown that suitable slates from Irish quarries are not available or likely to be forthcoming as and when required.

There is no information in the Department on the matters referred to in the latter part of the question.