Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1952 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1949 - 1950

APPENDIX II.

MINUTE OF MINISTER FOR FINANCE ON REPORT DATED 18th JULY, 1951, OF THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 15.

These paragraphs do not appear to require comment on the part of the Minister.

PUBLIC WORKS AND BUILDINGS

Paragraph 8.—Acquisition of Consulate-General, New York.

Although the Department of External Affairs was aware by the beginning of May, 1948, that the premises would be for sale and had subsequent to this been in communication with its staff in New York about the desirability of purchasing them, information reached the Department suddenly on the 15th June, 1948, that the vendors had received an offer, open until 12 o’clock that night, which would enable them to dispose of the property without any loss. A decision had, therefore, to be taken at once. Consultation in the usual way with the Commissioners of Public Works and prior inspection of the premises by their officers were naturally precluded in the circumstances of urgency which had arisen.

With regard to the recoupment to the vendors of expenditure incurred by them on fitting the premises for their former purpose, it was obviously necessary, in view of the offer mentioned, to make a similar offer in order to secure the premises. It is understood that Aerlínte Éireann received several offers, including offers from the South African and Venezuelan Governments, which would have enabled them to divest themselves of the premises without any loss whatever.

The lease of the suite of rooms in the Chrysler Building then occupied by the Consulate-General was due to expire in less than two years from June, 1948. It was represented as being extremely probable that the rent would have been greatly increased on expiry of the lease and that there was even a danger that the lease might not be renewed at all if some other tenant in the building should desire to lease accommodation including the rooms then occupied by the Consulate-General.

The accommodation in the Chrysler Building was also regarded as small for the purposes of the Consulate-General. The premises acquired from Aerlínte had been inspected by senior officers of the Department of External Affairs before they were acquired from Aerlínte. They were regarded by those officers as most suitable for the purpose of accommodating the Consulate-General and their acquisition was recommended as a very attractive proposition.

DEFENCE

Paragraph 10.—Constructive loss as a result of change in design of Army greatcoat.

The Minister is assured by the Department of Defence that, in the event of any alteration in the specification for uniform clothing becoming necessary in the future, care will be taken to guard against constructive losses of the nature involved in the case under review.

AVIATION AND METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES

Paragraph 11—Inventories of equipment supplied to Aer-Rianta, Teóranta.

The Minister is in agreement with the view that adequate records should have been maintained of all furniture, equipment, etc. bought from public funds and issued to Aer-Rianta, Teóranta, for use in connection with the management of Dublin Airport. Steps have now been taken to reconcile records of purchases with existing stocks and it has been ascertained that the value of the furniture, equipment, etc., supplied to Aer-Rianta, Teóranta, up to the 31st March, 1949, was £32,455 2s. 9d. Aer-Rianta, Teóranta, have certified that all this property was in good order and condition at the Airport on the 31st March, 1949, with the exception of deficiencies, consisting mainly of items of china, cutlery and glassware, amounting to £767 16s., 11d. and items of furniture and equipment originally purchased at a cost of £177 2s. 2d. which have become unserviceable through fair wear and tear. Sanction has been given for the write-off of the deficiencies. Arrangements are being made for the keeping of adequate records in future of all property issued to Aer-Rianta for use at Dublin Airport.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE SUBSIDIES

Paragraph 13.—Loss on sale of non-creamery butter from cold storage.

Every effort was made to dispose of this butter at home, either for household use or manufacturing purposes, without loss. These efforts failed owing to the fact that production of both creamery and non-creamery butter in 1947/48 was abnormally high. In the circumstances, the Minister felt justified in according his sanction to the sale of the butter elsewhere on the best terms obtainable. The Minister has requested the Department of Agriculture to take steps to ensure that the Committee’s wishes are complied with should it be necessary to make similar arrangements in the future for the storage of non-creamery butter.

FISHERIES

Paragraph 14.—Repayments of fishery loans.

The loans referred to are being reviewed at present.

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

Paragraph 16.—Adjustment of payments made under the Social Welfare (Substitutive Allowances) Order, 1948.

The Minister is informed that the Minister for Social Welfare has now given certificates covering the amounts expended by all public assistance authorities in connexion with payments under Article 3 of the Social Welfare (Substitutive Allowances) Order, 1948, and that the provisional payments made to these a uthorities in respect of the expenditure have, where necessary, been adjusted accordingly.