MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Irish Grand Juries are legally bound to advertise for tenders for the various contracts for the departments of the public service which they control, and which are paid for out of the public funds; whether he is aware that the Grand Jury of the county of Kilkenny recently gave a printing contract for a term of seven years without having invited tenders by advertisement in the local press, and at a cost of several hundred pounds to the rates more than the work would be done for if left open to competition; and whether he proposes to take any and what action in the matter?
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELANDThere is some doubt owing to a decision delivered many years ago whether Grand Juries are bound to advertise for tenders for printing. They are undoubtedly bound to do so in the case of all other contracts. The Government have no power to take action in the matter, but it is open to any ratepayer to appear before the Judge of Assize or the Auditor of the Local Government Board and take exception to the action of the Grand Jury in the matter.