asked the Minister for Finance the nature, purpose, location and cost of all building repair or decorative work done and materials supplied for or by the Office of Public Works in Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, within the last year.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Works on Government Buildings.
78.
During the past year upwards of 500 jobs were carried out in Government Buildings by the Office of Public Works. These consisted of items of routine repair and maintenance which are normally required of such establishments along with minor improvements and alterations.
It would take an inordinate amount of time to have the items listed individually with details of cost. The approximate total cost was of the order of £6,000.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to give us details of the items which cost in excess of £100?
I have a list of some of the items here. The redecoration of rooms in the Department of Agriculture cost £600. A toilet suite for the Minister for Finance cost £600. The provision of an incinerator in the ladies' toilet of the Department of Agriculture cost £220. Improvements to the Minister's suite in the Department of Agriculture—new communicating door and improved ventilation— cost £220. The redecoration of rooms in the Department of Finance cost £160.
There will be a lot of questions to answer now.
Would the Deputy like to ask them now?
£600 for a bathroom.
It is a toilet suite as distinct from a bathroom.
There is no reference to a bathroom. I should have thought the Deputy would know the difference between a toilet and a bath.
A toilet suite cost £600. I would point out that a few years ago, a mahogany top hat cabinet, silver-mounted, for the President cost £600.
Deputy Ryan said there will be a lot of questions to answer now. I shall be interested to see the level the questions will reach.
They will reach a very embarrassing level for the Parliamentary Secretary and for the Government. They will not provide money for houses but they will spend £600 for a toilet suite.
I do not think it is possible to embarrass Deputy Ryan.
It is a disgraceful affair.