asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, when tenders for the provision of a retail public house at Shannon were being advertised for, the advertisements asked for tenders from the retail trade only, or whether it was left open to manufacturers of alcoholic drinks to tender; whether he is aware that the contract for the provision of this public house has been given to a prominent manufacturer; and whether he considers that, in a country which has not hitherto developed to any significant extent the system of tied houses, or licensed premises owned by manufacturers, it is a desirable development for a semi-State organisation to initiate the practice of setting up licensed premises owned by manufacturers.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Public House.
30.
The advertisement by the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited inviting tenders for the construction of a licensed premises in the housing area at Shannon Airport was not restricted to the retail trade. I am informed that the advertisements inviting tenders appeared in the daily and local press and The Licensed Vintner and were also widely circulated to the trade. The decision on the acceptance of a tender was entirely within the discretion of the company.