asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state in respect of the classified telephone directory (a) the date upon which this project was first advertised in the newspapers and the date on which interested parties were invited to call to his Department, (b) the date upon which tender forms were issued and (c) in what year it is intended to publish the directory.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Classified Telephone Directory.
7.
The information requested is as follows:
(a) An advertisement in relation to the proposed publication of a classified telephone directory appeared in the national newspapers on 24th January, 1967. The advertisement invited interested firms to discuss the project with the Department. The first discussion took place on 27th January, 1967, and discussions took place with additional firms on a number of occasions during subsequent weeks.
(b) Tender forms were issued to 23 firms on 19th April last and to one other firm on 3rd May.
(c) The first edition of the directory will issue next year.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think it is satisfactory that firms who would be interested in this contract should receive tender forms only in April of this year; in other words, leaving them something like six months in which to prepare their work? Since the advertisement is the major part of the cost involved in this, does he think it fair that a small Irish firm which could compete in getting such tenders should be given such short notice?
As I said in the reply, the first information of the Department's intention to go ahead with a classified telephone directory was given on 24th January, 1967, which is a year and a half ago, and this intimation was given publicly in the newspapers. I do not think it can be suggested that the amount of time afforded to firms to put in tenders was not sufficient.
The Parliamentary Secretary says tender forms made their appearance only in April of this year. How can the Parliamentary Secretary say that has given sufficient time? Is it not obvious from the period given that there is a great danger this contract will fall into the hands either of a large printing firm or a foreign printing firm and it will not give a fair chance to the small firm to compete because sufficient time is not given?
I do not think so. At the time of the taking of tenders, 24 different firms registered in Ireland asked to be considered. I do not think we can be accused of trying to squeeze out anyone.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say who eventually got the contract?
I cannot.
Is that a secret?
It has not yet been given out.
I thought the Parliamentary Secretary said that a contract had been finally given.
The directory will issue next year.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it will be possible to issue with the telephone directory suitable magnifying glasses so that subscribers will be able to read it?
That is a separate question.
I am sorry the Deputy is not seeing so well.