asked the Minister for Local Government if any grants were approved or paid by his Department to the Castle Demesne Committee, Macroom, County Cork; and if further grants are due for the restoration of the castle facade and premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Macroom Castle Restoration.
18.
An amenity grant of £300 was allocated to Macroom Urban District Council on 29th May, 1972, for restoration works proposed by the Trustees, Macroom Castle Demesne; this grant was paid to the council on 28th March, 1973. The allocations to local authorities under the amenity grants scheme for the current year will be notified shortly. Macroom Urban District Council have requested an allocation of a further £300 and this application is being taken into consideration. It is understood that the intention of the council is to assist stage 2 of the restoration works.
Is the Minister aware that portion of these premises are being used at present as headquarters for a political party in respect of one of the candidates in the Presidential election campaign? Were tenders sought for this tenancy, and what steps does he intend to take?
Sin ceist eile.
That would seem to be another question.
I did not hear the answer.
Sin ceist eile.
It is not relevant to the question tabled by the Deputy.
It most certainly is.
It most certainly is not.
It is State money which is being expended on the building which is being used as head-quarters——
What about all the hotels?
Could I inform the Minister and the Deputy that the business in question has no relationship at all——
Who is in the Chair at the moment?
Question No. 19.
Am I in order or am I not?
The Deputy's supplementary is irrelevant to the subject matter of the Deputy's question. The Deputy might put down a specific question on that matter.
Surely it is relevant when it comes to State expenditure in such a situation.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 19.