asked the Minister for Finance whether the Departmental Committee which he set up some years ago with the object of effecting economies in administration has completed its labours, and, if not, whether he will state what is the cause of the delay, how many meetings have been held during the last six months, and when he expects that this Committee will issue its report.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Committee on Economy.
The Committee on Economy in Government Expenditure has not yet completed its labours. There has been no avoidable delay in the proceedings of the Committee, but, as indicated in the reply to a previous question by the Deputy on the subject, the Committee's task has been one of considerable magnitude. Fifteen meetings have been held during the last six months. I am not in a position to say when the Committee is likely to furnish its report. As stated to the House on more than one occasion, I have in the past been considerably helped by the Committee with its suggestions, and the adoption of these suggestions has naturally deprived that body of a good deal of the material that would normally be incorporated in its report.