asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has yet finalised and accepted a contract for the Galway harbour scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Harbour Scheme.
It is not my function to finalise and accept a contract for the Galway harbour scheme. My approval is, however, required for the acceptance by the Galway harbour commissioners of a tender, since the scheme is being financed by means of a very substantial grant from State funds. Certain legal and technical questions relating to the acceptance by the harbour commissioners of a tender for the work are at present the subject of correspondence with the harbour commissioners and a communication in the matter was addressed to them on 8th May.
Would the Minister state if it is the policy of his Department to delay or to abandon this scheme entirely?
I do not know if the Deputy is aware that the difficulty arises from the fact that the lowest tender received, which the harbour commissioners wished to accept, quotes a figure for the work which was well below the figure at which their own consulting engineer thinks it can be done. There arises the question as to whether it is desirable in such circumstances to rely upon the bond for the due performance of the contract at the tender the harbour commissioners are prepared to accept. That, I think, would be contrary to practice and could lead to difficulties. The matter, as I say, has been the subject of correspondence with the harbour commissioners, with a view to getting the situation rectified. It is clearly undesirable to proceed with the work in circumstances where difficulties are likely to arise in its completion.
Can the Minister state when he hopes to have this finalised?
If I get a satisfactory reply from the harbour commissioners, that will settle the matter.