asked the Minister for the Environment if he will encourage local authorities to use more Irish manufactured cement in road construction and road repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Irish Concrete Society recently made a presentation to me pointing out that a significant proportion of new roads in various European countries are constructed in concrete using modern extrusion methods. While concrete is used in road construction in housing estates and in the road base of public road projects we have, for many years, concentrated exclusively in using what is essentially an imported oil-based product, that is bitumen, in road surfacing. I am now having the technical data concerning the wider use of concrete in major road construction assessed in my Department.

Is the Minister satisfied that local authorities are operating a certification scheme which would ensure that cement of a certain standard is used in any works which are carried out?

I am not aware that there are any problems in that regard. The question is of a wider nature. It suggests that concrete might be used as a replacement for bitumen in road construction.

At present a lot of cement is imported. This question relates to the replacement of bitumen by cement in road construction.

It is already a requirement that normal Portland cement be used in work which is carried out by or on behalf of local authorities. It must be certified by the IIRS under the Irish standard mark licencing scheme as complying with ISI 1963, "Portland Cement" and bear the Irish standard mark.

Is the Minister satisfied that not every local authority operates a certification scheme?

If the Deputy has information to suggest that local authorities in the area he mentioned are not so doing I would be interested to hear from him.

Will the Minister give information about the quality of cement which is imported?