asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what was the date upon which Messrs. Evans, Son, Lescher and Webb gave an undertaking to deliver to dispensaries and hospitals, instead of to the nearest railway station, the drugs for which a contract was recently awarded them; whether the undertaking was given by way of new or supplementary contract; whether any other firms were given an opportunity at the same time to make fresh tenders on the same basis as to delivery as the firm mentioned; and whether the extended arrangement as to delivery entailed any extra cost over the amount of the original tender, and, if so, what extra cost.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DRUG CONTRACT.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
The tender referred to was dated the 29th July, 1925. The answers to the second part of the question are in the negative. There were no fresh tenders, as all were made on the same basis. The arrangements as regards delivery did not entail any extra cost over the amount of the original tender.
Would the Minister say if he has received complaints from Boards of Health in the Saorstát pointing out the difficulty they encounter by reason of this contract being given to firms on the other side of the water?
I have received several representations, but the grounds of objection to this arrangement were not well-founded. The people came to that decision on a wrong basis.
Will the Minister say if there was any hesitation on the part of this firm to deliver the goods to the hospitals concerned at the beginning of the contract, at any rate, and has that been made right yet?
I am not aware that there was any hesitation.
The Minister has already said that he got complaints.