asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) for himself and (b) for his Parliamentary Secretary the cost of officially provided Christmas greeting cards sent in 1968; if the postage was provided free by his Department and, if so, the cost in each case; if he can give an estimate of cards on order for this year under each heading; and if the cards will be sent post free.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Christmas Greeting Cards.
46.
The cost of Christmas greeting cards officially provided for me in 1968 was £278 8s 2d. The cost of such cards being sent by me this year is £216 5s 8d, which, of course, also covers cards to be sent by me as Minister for the Gaeltacht. Officially provided Christmas cards are despatched as Departmental post and there is no separate postage record.
My Parliamentary Secretary was not appointed until July, 1969. Information in regard to the cost of official greeting cards to be sent by him this year is being given in my reply to a similar question addressed to me as Aire na Gaeltachta.
Could the Minister for Industry and Commerce tell us how much each card is costing his Department?
No, I could not.
Does the Minister know how many cards were purchased by his Department last year?
No.
Could the Minister make that information available to the House?
I am sure it would be possible.
Do the officials address the envelopes of these cards?
That is a separate question.
The amount of public funds being spent is a disgrace.
The Deputy cannot have a debate on this. The Minister is only entitled to reply to the question.
They are not smuggled across the Border anyway.
If they are smuggled across the Border it is only because they are cheaper there.
(Interruptions.)
Ask the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries who does all the smuggling.
Would Deputy Harte please control himself? I am calling Question No. 47.
On a point of order, the Minister has accused Deputy Harte of smuggling.
What about the meat?
There was once a Fianna Fáil Deputy who smuggled fine combs; I always wondered why he did so and now I know.
On a point of order, arising out of the Minister's reply——
The Deputy has already asked a supplementary question. I have called Question No. 47. Would the Deputy please sit down?
Is the Chair dealing with my point of order?
I am not dealing with the point of order because I did not hear what the Deputy said.
A Cheann Comhairle, am I entitled to raise one supplementary to my question, No. 46?
To which question is the Deputy referring?
To the question I put to the Minister for Industry and Commerce in connection with his Christmas cards.
If the Deputy has not put a supplementary he may do so.
Having regard to rising prices, for which the Minister is responsible, does he not consider the expenditure of £270 of the taxpayers' money on Christmas cards, while the working class people of this country are put to the pin of their collar to exist because of these rising prices——
(Interruptions.)
Order, order.
As Deputy Flanagan did not finish his question I am unable to answer it.
A Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I will insist on being heard in this House, despite the Minister for Local Government.