asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will direct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the contract entered into on 21st September, 1936, between the County Donegal Board of Health and Mr. C. Boyle, Drumacullen, Inver, County Donegal, to supply milk under the School Meals (Gaeltacht) Act, 1930.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Board of Health Contract.
The reply is in the negative.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider it right, where conclusive evidence is laid before him that a local authority has broken its contract with a poor man who has no resources of his own wherewith to fight the local authority, that the Minister should take no action at all with a view to satisfying himself that impropriety has not taken place?
The local authority appears to be satified with the explanation given by the secretary to the board of health.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary seen the documents which I submitted personally to the Minister?
Yes.
Including a letter sent by the secretary to the board of health, stating that the contract had been awarded to this particular man, and instructing him to deliver milk in pursuit of the contract? Then the Minister approves of the breach of that contract?
The Minister has no function in the matter to approve or disapprove.
I submit that the Minister has, and owing to what appears to me to be an unsatisfactory reply to that question, I propose to ask your leave, Sir, to raise the matter on the adjournment.