asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the Athlone Urban District Council protesting against the action of his Department in deciding that all printing work in connection with the Local Government Elections was to be carried out in Dublin; whether he is aware that in the past, printing for the Government Departments such as Registers and Census Returns, was in great part done in the country printing offices; also, whether he is aware that the Athlone Printing Works has many times been able to obtain Government contracts by open tender; and whether, in view of these facts, he will urge that a fair proportion of the printing work in connection with the Registers shall be divided amongst printing offices in the country.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS PRINTING WORK.
I have seen a copy of the resolution referred to. No decision of the nature suggested was arrived at. Arrangements were made merely for the printing in bulk of supplies of forms, some of which were formerly printed in small quantities and at much greater expense. All the printing required in connection with the forthcoming elections was not executed in Dublin. Advertisements were published inviting tenders for posters and forms. It was open to provincial printing firms to tender accordingly, and portion of the printing has been entrusted to them. The printing of the Registers of Electors is arranged by the Stationery Office, who also invite tenders, of which a proportion is invariably given to provincial firms.
Will the Minister say whether a proportion of the Register now in preparation has been distributed through the country?
I could not say what proportion has been distributed, but I understand that the Athlone Printing Works are doing part of the work.