asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on recent regulations made by him in regard to the purchase of provisions and other items by local authorities; and if he considers that the operation of these regulations is justified in County Donegal where a local contractor can supply meal at 10/- per cwt. cheaper than the official contractor appointed by his Department, particularly since this contractor is giving employment in Donegal, is a substantial ratepayer and must pay a higher rate as a result of the regulations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchases by Local Authorities.
11.
The regulations made under the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1939, make provision for local purchases in exceptional circumstances.
If the position in regard to the purchase of meal for use in County Donegal had been brought to my notice by the Local Authority it would have been sympathetically considered.
Would it be too late at this stage for the county manager to talk to the Minister and, if that talk takes place, will the Minister give the matter favourable consideration?
This is a matter, as I presume the Deputy is aware, in which it has been open to the local authority for some time to do as I have suggested under the regulations. For reasons best known to themselves, they have not taken any action yet. I have been in touch with them and it is possible that an approach under the regulations—that is something they are entitled to make—may yet be made.
Are we to take it then that the Donegal County Council have slipped up on that and are in fact paying 10/- per cwt. more than they need pay?
In actual fact, the figure of 10/- is incorrect. It is correct, however, that there is a disparity in price. That the Donegal County Council have not taken the steps they should have taken to avoid this higher charge is also a fact.
Are these not subject to tender?
As I have outlined in the reply, they have power under the regulations in special circumstances, by way of an approach to the Minister for Local Government, to have certain things changed or excepted from the list. This is a case where such could have been done, but it was not done in this case.
Is this the combined purchasing list?
Yes.
I thought a local authority was empowered, where the quality was equal, to purchase locally?
No. They are empowered under the regulations to apply to the Minister to depart from the list under special circumstances.
And Donegal did not do it?
No.
If it is a fact that the council realised they could purchase the commodity cheaper, then am I to take it from the Minister's reply that they erred on this occasion?
If they wished to do what would appear to be the sensible thing to do, then it would be right to say they have erred.