asked the Minister for Finance the original estimate of cost in respect of the new Garda Training Centre at Templemore and the amount of the same estimate at the latest available date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Training Centre.
39.
The estimated cost of the work contracted for originally, inclusive of fees, was £426,000. Extra works considered by the Department of Justice to be essential to the provision of a fully efficient and up-to-date training centre, and consisting in the main of the provision of a swimming pool, open and covered handball alleys, basketball courts, rifle range, bedding store, driving school, etc., were carried out as the contract proceeded. These works, together with increases allowable under the price variation clause bring the final estimated cost of the scheme to £647,000, inclusive of fees.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the original estimate in relation to this has been surpassed so far? Is he satisfied that anything short of a public inquiry——
I do not think the Deputy was listening to my reply.
I did not hear the beginning of it due to the interruptions of the Minister for Finance.
I do not think he even wants to hear my reply now. I am quite certain he did not hear me when I was reading the reply because he was busily interrupting. The facts are that as the scheme proceeded a great many other jobs had to be taken on and I read a long list of them in my reply. If Deputy Harte chooses to ignore this list that is a matter for himself. All this matter has been discussed at great length already in the House.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must agree that the total cost now is so great and the mismanagement in relation to Templemore so great that nothing short of a public inquiry into the spending of money there will satisfy public opinion?
It is tantamount to saying that the Committee of Public Accounts which went into this at great length are failing in their duty.
The first decent effort at decentralisation.
When are they going to Castlebar?
You certainly paid a lot for it.
(Interruptions.)