asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has to date submitted a tender for a public works contract in Europe; and if, in view of the cut-back in the public works activities of his Department, idle machinery may be put to good use in fields such as arterial drainage in the European Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Works Contract.
17.
No. The Commissioners of Public Works are not empowered to extend into such activities. I may add that their machinery is required for their own immediate purposes.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary implying that there is no arterial machinery idle?
Yes. The Chief State Solicitor's Office have advised the Board of Works not to use the machinery in the fashion suggested.
There is no machinery idle?
Not that I am aware of.
I am surprised.
No better man.