asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why he has refused sanction for the proposed sewerage and water scheme for the town of Tralee, though the Tralee Urban District Council have accepted the lowest tender for the work and are fully satisfied with the contractor's terms, as expressed in a resolution adopted by them at a special meeting held on the 24th ultimo, and, if he will now signify his willingness to sanction the proposed scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Tralee Sewerage and Water Scheme.
Mr. Murphy
The proposed scheme for the extension of water and sewerage mains in Tralee involves only straightforward pipelaying processes. The contractor who submitted the lowest tender had on a previous occasion been awarded a contract for portion of the work, but refused to undertake it at the amount of his original tender.
The urban district council has, therefore, been advised to consider the carrying out of the work by direct labour and to enable the estimated costs of the direct labour and contract systems to be fairly assessed, the county manager has been requested to have these costs analysed in more detail for the council's information.
Is it a fact that the Minister will not trust the judgment of the Tralee Urban District Council in this matter? Is he aware that the council unanimously decided that the carrying out of this scheme by contract would be more expeditious and would give them more security than by the carrying out of it by direct labour?
Mr. Murphy
I am not quite clear as to the meaning of the Deputy's supplementary question. I do not think he can suggest that there is any question of not trusting the Tralee Urban District Council. It is a question of giving advice to the council, advice that is backed by the technical and other advice that I have got in the Department about this particular scheme.
Will the Minister say if he got a copy of a resolution passed by the council on 24th June last in connection with this matter?
Mr. Murphy
I believe I did. Would the Deputy again examine the reply given to him, which indicates that the contractor whose tender was accepted for portion of this work refused to carry out his contract?
Has not the Minister been informed that the contractor in question made a second tender to the council and that the second tender was accepted?
Mr. Murphy
I am not accustomed to having contractors in the position of being able to mend their hands in those matters. I do not think it would be a desirable practice and I do not believe the Deputy would encourage it.
A second tender was invited on a revision of the contract which was accepted by the council.