asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount of the premium paid by the Commissioners of Public Works in respect of the employers' liability insurance effected by them through the Irish overseas insurance brokers with Lloyd's underwriters for the year ending 31st March, 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employers' Liability Insurance.
As it would be contrary to established practice to disclose the amounts or details of tenders, I am unable to give the information sought by the Deputy.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if it is a fact that a lower tender was received from an Irish Insurance company than that which was accepted?
I could not say that at the moment.
asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the terms of the advertisement dated 21st February, 1951, issued on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works inviting tenders from insurance companies or syndicates for insurance against employers' liability in respect of workmen during the year 1st April, 1951, to the 31st March, 1952, and alternatively the three-year period from the 1st April, 1951, to the 31st March, 1954, and if so, whether he will state: (a) why the usual provision asking for tenders from companies having their registered offices in Ireland has been omitted; (b) why a contract was placed by the Commissioners of Public Works for the year ending 31st March, 1951, other than in accordance with the terms of the advertisement inserted on the 28th March, 1950; (c) if he considers it in accordance with public policy that insurance companies which have not a registered office in this country should be allowed to tender for Office of Public Works contracts, and (d) if he has satisfied himself that the Commissioners of Public Works are in this respect setting a satisfactory headline to the general public with regard to the support of Irish industry.
I am aware of the terms of the advertisement to which the Deputy refers. The advertisement invites tenders from insurance companies or syndicates licensed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to carry on employers' liability insurance business in Ireland, or from brokers on their behalf, and thus includes companies having their registered offices in Ireland. The qualifications for eligibility to carry on insurance business are fixed by Act of the Oireachtas, and it would be contrary to public policy to restrict competition to any particular class of eligible firms. The advertisement issued last year, which invited quotations specifically from companies having their registered offices in Ireland, or brokers acting on their behalf, was amended this year for the purpose of removing any doubt which might have existed as to the eligibility to submit quotations of all insurance companies statutorily entitled to carry on employers' liability insurance business.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the Dáil why the provision inserted in last year's advertisement that the company should have their registered offices in Ireland was deleted from the advertisement which was issued on 21st of February?
In order to remove any misunderstanding. Under the Insurance Act of 1936, any insurance company licensed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce is entitled to compete.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure us that it was not because of the strictures of myself and Deputy Hickey last year that the terms of the advertisement issued last year were changed and will the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House why this bad headline and bad example is being set in respect of the support of Irish undertakings and Irish industries?
If the Deputy wants to deny the right of any insurance company licensed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Insurance Act of 1936 to compete, he is welcome to do so, but in the Office of Public Works we have to carry out instructions.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the change is made in order to ensure that preference need not be given to Irish owned and Irish operated concerns? Will the Parliamentary Secretary explain what useful purpose can be served by the Minister for Industry and Commerce or the Government in appealing to the public to support Irish industry and manufactures when, in the case of a specific insurance like this, a Government Department departs from that line of policy? It is a scandal.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House if any protest was made by insurance companies not registered in this country regarding the matter I raised last year.
No. The change was made in order to live up to the Insurance Act of 1936.
Do as I say but do not do as I do.