asked the Minister for Local Government whether the paying orders of any local authority were dishonoured by their treasurers during 1956-57, and, if so, for what reason.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paying Orders of Local Authorities.
My Government did not compile any records of the manner in which the paying orders of local authorities were dealt with by their treasurers in the financial year 1956-57.
Has the Minister got any record of any local authority having reported that their bills were dishonoured?
My Department has not kept any record.
Has the Minister got any record?
The only record I have is my own experience and if the Deputy is seeking to prove that the financial position of the local authorities was in a good state I can tell him that most of them, if liable, could not pay their Peter's pence.
If the Minister considers that as being funny I will leave it to the discretion of the House. Will the Minister answer a simple question? Is there in the records of his Department any local authority were dishonoured?
My Department did not compile any such records.
I did not ask the Minister that. The Minister knows that the statement of Deputy Allen was untrue.
There is not any such record and the statement is untrue.
Deputy Sweetman said that the Minister knew that what a certain Deputy said was untrue.
But not what the Minister said.
That the Minister knew the statement was untrue and that he was repeating an untruth.
He is covering Deputy Allen up.
I take it the Deputy is not accusing the Minister.
Perish the thought.
I am much too adept to do that.
As innocent as an angel.