asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons why the commissioner for the Dublin County Council is arranging for use in road-making of chippings for tar-spraying, which cost 16/- a cubic yard, when an experienced contractor has submitted a tender to provide such chippings at a lower price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chippings for Tar-Spraying.
I have been in communication with the commissioner administering the affairs of the Dublin County Council in regard to this matter and I am informed by him that in planning this year's road programme he was of opinion that the supply of chippings for tarring work which could be procured from contractors would not be sufficient for the volume of work to be undertaken. He states that the tender of the contractor referred to is for delivery up to six miles from his quarry, whereas the council's figure of 16/- provides for delivery within a radius of 12 miles from the council's quarry; and, further, that this figure of 16/- was fixed when work commenced in the quarry and the overhead costs would therefore be high. I presume that the auditor when auditing the accounts of the county council will, if he considers it necessary, advert to this matter.
The Parliamentary Secretary has admitted that the chippings are supplied at a cost of 16/- per cubic yard. I want to ask him, is it not a fact that a competent contractor who had 20 years' dealings with the county council supplied these chippings at 13/- per cubic yard? In view of his reply, will he bring this matter before the auditor who will be auditing the accounts of the Dublin County Council?
I have already told the Deputy that the matter will come before the attention of the auditor when the accounts are being audited. The Deputy can be assured that the matter will have proper attention.