asked the Minister for Lands whether he is prepared to state the nature of the verbal contracts referred to by him in his concluding remarks on the Gaeltacht Estimate in Dáil Eireann, and if he will state why he felt himself bound by verbal contracts in respect of sales of goods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Gaeltacht Estimate.
The conditions under which the kelp was sold and consigned were not specified in all details. When questions of interpretation arose definite action was not taken by the Department but conversations apparently took place from which the firm appears to have inferred that its interpretation was accepted. The Department does not admit that the conditions of the contract have been varied, but the firm contends that those conversations had the effect of altering the conditions of sale. The matter is still the subject of discussion with the firm and it is not advisable at this stage to go into further detail.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the Minister stated in this House that he found himself restricted in the discharge of his duty by verbal contracts for the sale of goods, although the Minister himself must have known that verbal contracts for the sale of goods, unsupported by anything else, are not binding and could not in any way restrict his liberty of action?