asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the statement in the Dáil on Wednesday May 31st by his predecessor the present Minister for Education that he "sacked" the previously appointed architects, consulting engineers and quantity surveyors to the Cork Regional Hospital, he will state (a) the date of dismissal, (b) the manner in which the dismissal was effected, (c) details of the authority under which the Minister acted, and (d) the date upon which each of the persons or firms concerned was informed that he had been dismissed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Regional Hospital.
38.
Mr. Barrett
I will not.
Mr. Barrett
Will the Minister tell us——
I will not. This appears to be a matter between Limerick and Cork, and I am a mere Mayoman.
Mr. Barrett
Surely the Minister is in a position to give the answer?
The Deputy can do what he likes with the reply he has been given. Settle it with Limerick.
Mr. Barrett
Surely the Minister must give a plain reply to a plain question?
Have you stopped beating your wife?
Mr. Barrett
I am asking the Minister to give me a plain answer to a plain question.
I will not.
This is surely something he is trying to cover up for his predecessor.
Mr. Barrett
The men in question were never sacked. They are to be sacked to make way for the friends of the Minister's predecessor.
The consortium : the take-over has taken place.