asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs who was awarded the contract for the supply of double rack ladders recently placed by his Department; the criteria used; and if these ladders are being imported.

Contracts for the supply and fitting of double ladder racks and internal fittings to certain departmental vehicles have been placed by my Department with J. Mangan and Sons Limited, Edenderry, County Offaly, and Tony Gray and Sons Limited, Enfield, County Meath. The award of the contracts was approved on the basis of the usual criteria laid down by the Government Contracts Committee which embrace factors such as the quality, price and delivery terms offered by the tendering firms. The contracts provide for the manufacture of the racks in Ireland.