Committee Reports::Report and Proceedings - Future management of the Oireachtas Restaurant::23 May, 1935::Report

REPORT.

The Joint Committee has made an examination of the various methods of management that have been applied to the Oireachtas Restaurant, of their financial results and of the merits of the services rendered to members of the two Houses. It is recommended that the ultimate control of the undertaking remain as at present, that is to say, in the hands of the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach with the advice and assistance of a Joint Committee of the Dáil and the Seanad. It is further recommended that the said advisory Joint Restaurant Committee be summoned to meet four times annually to review the position as it developes and to bring forward any business which it may desire.


In particular, the question of employing external caterers, to act as Agents of the Chairmen of the two Houses in the actual work of conducting the services in the Restaurant, has been considered in detail by the Joint Committee. In this matter, too, it is recommended that the existing method be continued. The Joint Committee has been in communication, by interview and correspondence, with the Directors of the Firm at present acting as Caterers, and various matters affecting the actual running of the Restaurant have been discussed with them. The suggested proposals, if brought into effect after consultation between the Chairmen of the two Houses and the Caterers will, probably, obviate any serious loss in the future. The Joint Committee has, moreover, framed a Draft Agreement, which places a limit to the liability and claims of both parties to it. This Draft Agreement is acceptable to the Caterers and embodies certain financial concessions, over and above those contained in the original Agreement made with the Caterers. The suggested Agreement would expire on the 31st March, 1936. The situation can then be reviewed, if the circumstances justify such a course.


(Signed),


SÉAMUS FITZGERALD,


Chairman.


23 May, 1935.