asked the Minister for Finance whether there is any valid reason for the refusal of the Commissioners of Public Works to give members of the Dáil information with reference to contracts placed by them; whether he is aware that all public authorities publish the names of firms tendering for contracts, and the amount of the tender accepted; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that reasonable information is given to elected representatives who wish to compare successful contractors' prices, conditions of labour, value of materials used, etc., with those of unsuccessful firms tendering for the same work.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONERS' CONTRACTS.
Mr. BOURKE
Information as to contractors' prices is not disclosed by the Commissioners. This is in pursuance of a decision of the Government Contracts Committee, who consider it highly undesirable that prices should be disclosed. The Committee have been consulted as regards the question, but they see no reason to alter their previous decision.
Would the Minister say whether that regulation applies to local authorities, and will he say what the reason is for refusing to give information to members of the House who wish to compare the unsuccessful contractors' conditions with those of the successful ones, to see whether they are complying with the trade union regulations and whether they are giving a preference for Irish manufacture?
Mr. BOURKE
One reason is that it would be very invidious in the case of the unsuccessful contractors.
Will the Minister say who is to criticise the actions of these Commissioners if by any chance they do wrong in giving a contract away to a person who is not employing trade union labour or giving a 10 per cent. preference to Irish manufacture?
Mr. BOURKE
This is a question for the trade union.
In this case the application of the trade union was turned down.
Would the Minister say whether this regulation applies to the Minister for Finance when he supplies selected information for the purpose of slandering Irish boot manufacturers and refuses to disclose facts which the Irish boot manufacturers asked should be disclosed?