andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the State of the services of the outside adviser on the preparation of input-output tables for the economy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Preparation of Input-Output Tables.
52.
I presume the Deputies are referring to the employment by my Department in 1968 of a consultant to hold a workshop seminar on econometric methods and model-building, linked to the use of input-output tables. The total cost incurred was £4,333. This figure includes the cost of computer and other services.
Would the Minister confirm or deny that the consultant in question left before he had finished the job?
The question relates to cost only.
This relates to cost.
Originally the Department retained his services for four months but because of pressure on his time he had to leave at the end of two months and his fees were adjusted accordingly.
Would the Minister care to confirm or deny or to dispel the rumour that is rife that this American expert did nothing and got a present of the £4,000 or whatever figure the Minister mentioned?
There is no truth whatever in that.
The Minister assures the House of that. The Minister is the only person in his Department who thinks that way.