asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that, in court proceedings in 1945, one George O'Connell, of Edenderry, a member of the County Council of Offaly, gave evidence on oath that he had made £15,000 profit out of one contract for the haulage of turf for the use of the Army; if any contract of such magnitude or any contract for turf haulage was given to him; if so, what was his previous status and experience as a haulier; if he will state what committee or board had the placing of such turf contracts, and the names of any persons not members of the Army or of the Civil Service serving on such committee or boards; and, in particular, the name of any Deputy or Senator so serving.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Haulage.
I have been unable to trace the statement referred to by the Deputy.
No contract for the haulage of turf has been placed by my Department with Mr. O'Connell. A number of contracts was, however, placed with him for the supply and delivery of turf to certain military establishments. The contracts in question were placed as the result of competitive tenders and the contract prices were regarded as fair and reasonable. There was prior consultation with the Department of Supplies in connection with the contracts and no committee or board, other than the Government Contracts Committee which approved the placing of the contracts, assisted my Department in the matter.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, could the Minister state whether he is aware that on numerous occasions Mr. O'Connell called to the Minister's Department personally for information concerning these contracts, which he later secured, for the delivery of turf to certain military posts; is the Minister satisfied that the contracts or tenders which had been received from other people were placed at Mr. O'Connell's disposal before the contract was completely sanctioned; and is the Minister further quite satisfied——
The Deputy cannot make a speech.
This is a matter of importance and I am convinced that the Minister has not fully investigated the matter.
The Deputy is making a charge.
Are you trying to malign the people who have given me material for the reply to that question?
Would the Minister consider investigating——
I have investigated it fully and the Deputy is now attempting to cast a slur on the information given to me by the officers of my Department.
Is the Minister aware that Mr. O'Connell had conversations with a member of the Oireachtas, who was associated with the Turf Development Board, on the matter of these contracts before they were given out at all; and the same applies to other contracts?
Mr. O'Connell swore it.
Is it true that Mr. O'Connell saw the other tenders before he made his own? That is a very grave allegation.
Is there any person here who can give evidence as to that fact? Can even the Deputy who is making the allegation support it?
I hope the Minister will categorically deny it.
It is a very easy thing for Deputies to throw mud in the hope that some of it will stick. I am saying here in this House that when this question was put down on the Order Paper I had the matter examined very carefully, not alone by officers of my own Department but also by the Army authorities and the answer I have given is given on the information supplied to me and which I fully accept.
With Deputy McGilligan's permission I would like to be allowed to raise this matter on the adjournment since Mr. O'Connell is unfortunately a constituent of mine.