asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state when he proposes replying to the questions contained in my letter of the 27th October, 1925, relative to the report of the Local Government auditor regarding the tea contract at the Cavan and Monaghan Mental Hospital.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CAVAN AND MONAGHAN MENTAL HOSPITAL—TEA CONTRACT.
I informed the Deputy by letter on the 21st ultimo that all the facts of this matter had been brought to the notice of the Committee of Management of the mental hospital referred to, and that I was advised that no further action on my part could be properly taken.
Is it the policy of the Minister, when a Deputy of this House communicates with his Department and asks for certain information on certain specific points, to refuse to give that information? Is it within the right of the Minister or of any Minister to refuse information to a Deputy on points about which he has information?
It is not within the functions of my Department to furnish information or supply legal advice on hypothetical points which may arise in connection with the law of compensation or disqualification. Questions of that nature were addressed to me by the Deputy in a letter dated 27th October. Neither is it one of my functions to anticipate a decision in a matter which can only finally be dealt with in a court of law. In this matter I have, if anything, exceeded my jurisdiction in inquiring into this case.
May I take it then that the Minister still refuses to communicate the information to me?
I refuse to communicate that information.
Then we will have to get the matter raised in the House. I suppose it will not be refused then.