asked the Minister for Agriculture the highest and lowest prices per cwt. paid to his Department for T.B. reactor cattle (excluding cows); the names of the contractors concerned in each case; the average weight and age of such cattle and the areas from which they were provided; what conditions apply to consideration of all tenders duly submitted by any licensed fresh meat factory owners and fresh meat exporters; whether the highest tender from any such firm is accepted at all times by his Department; whether a tender from any such firm which was not the highest was accepted at any time and the reasons for such acceptance; and whether his Department will give details of successful tenders on enquiry by all bona-fide tenderers concerned in each contract.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Reactor Cattle.
10.
It is not the practice to disclose details of prices in relation to Government contracts.
All licensed meat exporters are invited to tender for reactor cattle other than cows. The tenders are determined strictly on the basis of the highest being successful provided it complies with the specified conditions. Of the 51 contracts so far placed for these cattle, the highest tender has been successful except in one instance where the factory concerned was incapable of handling the numbers of cattle expected. In that instance, the firm was consulted and agreed with the arrangements eventually made.
The answer to the final part of the Question is "No".