asked the Minister for Finance whether the services of a non-State security firm have been engaged for work in the Phoenix Park; if so, why; if he will state the terms of the contract; and why employment on such work was not offered to State servants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Engagement of Security Firm.
33.
A contract has been made with a security firm for a patrol service in the Phoenix Park with a view to preventing cattle from straying from the Park during periods when the regular gatekeepers are off duty.
The employment was offered to the Park gatekeepers but they required payments which were considered excessive, having regard to the nature of the duties involved.
It would not be in accordance with practice to disclose the terms of the contract with the security firm—the charge to State funds is much less than the amount sought on behalf of the gatekeepers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the permanent staff of the Office of Public Works regard it as a besmirching of their integrity that an outside firm was brought in to perform work which has been performed by these men for decades and that there were several members of the staff of the Office of Public Works who were willing to carry out this work and who were praiseworthy? It is a serious reflection on them that it was not given to them.
There is no question of a reflection on anybody. It is a question of keeping the cattle within the boundaries of the Phoenix Park after the normal working hours of the Phoenix Park staff. This is the most efficient and least costly way of doing it.
What were they doing after normal working hours——
(Interruptions.)
Do we then understand that a security firm has now been engaged to mind the cattle in the fields after hours? Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what are the normal hours for cattle and what are the after-hours for cattle? This is terribly important. We must know where we are going. We are told we are going into the EEC and now we have security men looking after cattle.
Is the Deputy asking a question?
I am asking where is it all going to end. We now have security men looking after cattle.
That is a separate question.