asked the Minister for the Environment if he considers that in some instances the now accepted custom of accepting minimum tenders in all cases for building and design contracts in the public and private sector tends to exclude buildings with character and design which might in some cases add to the character of a city or town.

I have no evidence to suggest that any custom which obtains regarding acceptance of tenders in the private building sector tends to exclude buildings of character and design.

Regarding the public sector, the criterion now generally applied in the awarding of contracts, in accordance with the appropriate EEC directive in this matter, is the most economically advantageous tender, and not necessarily the lowest tender. There is no reason why decisions taken in accordance with this criterion should operate to exclude buildings of character and good design.

Regarding the practice of accepting economically advantageous tenders, which seems to be a very euphemistic way of saying the cheapest, does not the Minister consider that this will tend to discourage designers and architects who would be concerned about creating a certain atmosphere or character in their buildings which would not be consistent with the minimum standards appropriate to very low tenders? I am not asking for a Pavlovian response but I would ask the Minister to consider this.

The lowest tender is not always accepted. The local council have a major involvement in the design and character of buildings in their own area. They have the principal involvement under the Planning Acts.

Has the Minister any information regarding the number of instances in the public sector, particularly with regard to housing contracts, in which the lowest tender was initially accepted by the local authority?

That is a separate question which would obviously require notice.