asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what amount has been spent to date on the provision of television sites and equipment or otherwise in relation to television; by whom such money was expended and under what authority; whether any part of such sum was paid to contractors; and if so, to whom, and how any such contracts were allotted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Television Sites and Equipment.
68.
The total amount to date is £19,826 made up as follows:
|
£ |
|
|
(1) by the Commissioner of Public Works in respect of the acquisition of land on Kippure and the contruction of an access road |
19,436 |
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(2) by my Department in respect of the expenses of the Television Advisory Committee |
390 |
The expenditure under (1) was incurred by the Commissioners of Public Works under their general powers to acquire land and carry out development works thereon. An advance has been made by the Minister for Finance from the Contingency Fund in respect of the expenditure mentioned in (2) and it is proposed to submit a Supplementary Estimate—which has been circulated—to enable the amount advanced to be repaid to the fund from the Vote for Posts and Telegraphs.
The construction of the approach road on Kippure was entrusted by the Commissioners of Public Works to the Wicklow County Council. The Commissioners were satisfied that the council was best fitted to undertake the work. No other part of the expenditure was paid to contractors.
The figures given do not include expenditure on what I might describe as consideration of the question of television. Apart from expenditure incurred by the Television Committee, it would be impracticable to ascertain and cost the time devoted to television as distinct from other matters by administrative and other staff in my Department and elsewhere.
Could the Minister say whether there is any subhead for the £19,000 to which he refers or should I direct my question to the Minister for Finance?
That is for the Minister for Finance.
Fair enough; we shall have it next week so.