asked the Minister for Finance (a) if it is the case, as reported in the media (details supplied) that the Taoiseach is favourably considering a proposal for the State to acquire Tulira Castle, in South County Galway; and (b) if, as reported, this information was given by a Government spokesman.

(Clare): At the request of the Government the Commissioner of Public Works are investigating the possible purchase of Tulira Castle, Ardrahan, County Galway, on behalf of the State.

Will the Minister accept from me first of all that my question is not intended in any way as a comment on the propriety or advisability of this purchase? My question is merely intended to elicit some information about the very strange procedure. The question I originally asked has not been answered. My question was whether it is the case that the Taoiseach is "favourably considering" this proposal, as though the matter rested solely with him. So it was reported in The Irish Times of 11 June. I put the question down first to the Taoiseach, who pushed it over to the Minister. I am not interested in the merits of the purchase, but is it or is it not the case that the Taoiseach was personally “favourably considering” it, notwithstanding that it is not his business to give the nod to a purchase of this kind? Is it the case, as reported on 11 June, that the Taoiseach was favourably considering this purchase, according to a Government spokesman who was quoted?

(Clare): The Government's spokesman said that the proposal is being considered. He did not say it was being favourably considered, as was reported. The proposal is being considered by the Government.

Is it not the case that the Taoiseach told us in the House a couple of weeks ago that he was favourably considering the matter?

(Clare): What I have said has to do with the quotation from the newspaper to which Deputy Kelly referred.

Does the Minister agree that the newspaper quoted a Government spokesman as having said that the Taoiseach was "considering the purchase favourably"— in other words, the Taoiseach was personally considering it and the Government were superfluous?

Disgraceful. The Deputy is becoming more irresponsible every minute.

(Clare): The Government spokesman said the proposal was being considered.

Has the valuation of the property been completed by the Valuation Office?

(Clare): Yes. It is now before the Government.

In view of the reported sums at a public auction, the reserve price alleged, can the Minister tell us what is the valuation by the Valuation Office?

(Clare): It is before the Government.

In view of the various statements made as to the value of the property, would the Minister not regard it as being paramount in the public interest that the valuation currently before the Government could be made known?

(Clare): The whole matter is before the Government for consideration.

What is the valuation?

(Clare): It will be made known.

Is it not in the national interest that the valuation should be made known?

Will the Minister accept that premature announcements of Government interest in property before any decision to acquire has been taken can influence both the market price and the market for the property and that such an announcement should not be made until a Government decision actually has been taken?

(Clare): It depends whether it would affect the price upwards or downwards — it would depend on the circumstances surrounding a sale and on what happens at public auctions and negotiations. It might have a bad effect from the Government's point of view as potential purchasers.

Is it not bad practice for the Government to be announcing an interest in a property unless they had made a decision to acquire it, rather than sending up kites into the air which one way or another would affect the price or the market for the property in a way the Government cannot foresee, as the Minister has now admitted?

(Clare): The Government spokesman was asked if the matter was being considered, and he said it was. The Deputy will appreciate that in any sale there are two sides, the vendor and the purchaser.

Is the Minister aware that in the past Government spokesmen have been known to have replied "no comment" to a query, and would it not have been much wiser in the national interest if that had been the reply given?

A dose of honesty from John.

As a corollary to what Deputy Bruton says, would the Minister not agree that in addition to having perhaps an effect on the value of the property concerned, indications by the Government that they are considering acquiring any property of this kind for which there necessarily must be a limited market at the end of the twentieth century would only add one more to the list of public expectations, that the poor old State will take on its shoulders property after property which it is difficult to dispose of any other way and that there will be more and more political demands——

(Clare): That does not necessarily follow. That is not the way it happens. There are many properties offered to the State, sometimes more than one a week, which are never considered.