asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state (a) for himself and (b) for his Parliamentary Secretary the cost of officially provided Christmas greeting cards sent in 1968; if the postage was provided free by his Department and, if so, the cost in each case; if he can give an estimate of cards on order for this year under each heading; and if the cards will be sent post free.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Christmas Greeting Cards.
20.
The cost of the cards provided for official use by me as Minister was £167 in 1968. The postage on cards sent by me in that capacity amounted to £25 and was borne on the Vote for my Department. The post of Parliamentary Secretary was then vacant.
The estimated cost of cards on order this year for official use by me and my Parliamentary Secretary is £189 and £129, respectively. As in previous years, the postage on such cards sent in an official capacity will be charged to State funds.
How are these cards purchased? Are tenders invited?
That is a separate question.
It is not. If the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are sending out Christmas cards, surely I am entitled to ask where they are purchased?
If this is the measure of constructive opposition, God help us.
Get Deputy Blaney to say something constructive.
You might be better off if you gave the redundancy cards to Deputy Blaney.
I do not know when this practice arose. I have no objection to the Taoiseach's sending out official Christmas cards.
Is Deputy O'Donovan going to ask a question or to make a statement?
When did this practice of Parliamentary Secretaries obtaining official Christmas cards start?
I certainly paid for mine and so did Deputy O'Donovan.
Am I not to receive a reply? When did it start?
Since the foundation of the State.
It seems to be a separate question.
In what way is it a separate question?
I am addressing Deputy O'Donovan.
Arising out of Deputy O'Donovan's supplementary question, in what way is it a separate question?
Deputy O'Donovan can look after his own question.
And I am asking, arising out of that question, in what way is it a separate question.
Deputies
Sit down.
You do not want to say.
Next question.
Do not send me a card because I will send it back.