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.

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.