asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (1) whether, as reported in the Press, he has refused sanction to the Rathmines Urban District Council to accept the lowest tender offered for a road repair contract; and (2) if he intimated to the Council that, in the event of this tender being accepted, he would withhold grants from the Road Fund towards this road repair; and (3) if he will state his reasons for thus acting and thereby causing an increase in the township rate necessary to carry out this work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rathmines Road Repair Contract.
In the case of a road improvement contract I have refused to the Rathmines Urban District. Council sanction to accept a tender of Messrs. Grainger Brothers, which was the lowest tender offered. It has been intimated to the Council that in the event of this tender being accepted a grant from the Road Fund allocated towards the improvement of this road will be withheld.
I do not accept the implication that my action will cause an increase in the township rate. The action is intended to secure that road improvement in the Rathmines Urban District will be economically and efficiently carried out. Issues have been raised in connection with this matter which are of importance, and I would be glad, as I already indicated to the Deputy, to deal quite fully with the Deputy's question if he would raise the matter on the Adjournment this evening.
In view of the Minister's reply, I would ask to get the earliest opportunity to raise this question on the Adjournment.