asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of the cost of the materials used in the construction of the new Army barracks in Monaghan that was represented by those of foreign manufacture or origin.

The information sought is not available in my Department.

As the contract has been completed and there will be a bill of costs, does it not seem strange that information is not available and would the Minister in future ensure that home manufactured materials are used where there is proof that such materials are satisfactory? Will he ensure equality of treatment for home manufactured materials vis-á-vis imported materials?

My Department do not purchase building materials. Those materials are procured by the building contractors. We place the contract and the job is carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The purchase of building materials is a matter for the contractor.

Would it not be only fair to ensure that home producers get equality of treatment with outside producers?

It is a matter entirely for the contractor. Once the tender is accepted and the contract made it is then a matter for the contractor to obtain the materials.

Would the Minister not agree there should be a recommendation that home produced materials should be used if such materials are available?

I am sure any reasonable contractor, and they are reasonable business people, anxious to obtain the best materials, will bear that in mind.

Would the Minister not write into the contract in the same way as local authorities do that Irish materials should be used where available?

In this case the contract has been completed.

In future?

If the Deputy puts down a question I will see what can be done to answer it.

Question No. 13.

We are also bound by EEC regulations.

The Tánaiste is right. There are EEC regulations by which we are bound.

I have called Question No. 13.

My apologies.