asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the price agreed to be paid to the Waterford News, Ltd., for the supply to the returning officer of the Waterford constituency in the General Election, 1938, of (a) ballot papers, (b) advertising election notices of the returning officer in the publications of the Waterford News, Ltd., and (c) printing election notices and posters for the constituency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Election Printing in Waterford.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why, on the occasion of the General Election, 1938, printing establishments situate in the constituency of Waterford and capable of performing the work entrusted to them, and all of which employ trade union labour were not given an opportunity of tendering for the supply to the returning officer of Waterford constituency of ballot papers and other election requirements; and whether he will arrange that in future elections tenders will be invited for such work.
I propose to reply to questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. Contracts for the printing of ballot papers and other election forms of a general nature are submitted to competitive tender in the usual manner, and quotations are invited from all firms who have applied to be registered as Stationery Office contractors. In addition, advertisements giving notice of tenders required are inserted in the principal morning newspapers, and tender forms are issued to firms who subsequently make application following the notice of tender appearing in the Press. In connection with the present contract, tenders were received from three Waterford firms, and the quotation of the Waterford News, Ltd., being the lowest received for the Waterford area, was accepted. The individual quotations are regarded as confidential, and it would be contrary to practice to disclose them. As regards advertising and the printing of election notices and posters for the constituency, the method of publication of notices in regard to an election is under Rule 44 of the Fifth Schedule to the Electoral Act, 1923, vested in the returning officer, to whose orders advertisements are placed by the Government advertising agent. Payment is made at the approved rates applicable to Government advertising. Arrangements for the printing of any necessary posters and notices are made directly by the returning officer, the cost of the work, to such extent as is considered fair and reasonable, being defrayed from public funds.