In view of the information given to us by the Minister, can he say if there is any connection between this firm, Noonan Contract Cleaners, and the former Minister?

It struck me to wonder, looking at the name of the firm quite some time ago in another connection, whether there was any connection between the firm and Deputy Noonan of Limerick West and/or Deputy Noonan of Limerick East, but I have not inquired into it.

The Minister should do that.

If charges of a serious nature are to be made they should be made by——

They should be put down in a formal way.

It is a question down in a formal way. I am asking the Minister if it is not the practice normally to take the lowest tender, whether that practice was not followed in this instance and if not, then why?

I remind the Deputy that most of the invitations to tender include as part of the notice that the tender will not necessarily be awarded to the lowest bidder or to any bidder.

Deputy Lenihan in a little and somewhat disorderly aside has alleged corruption. If Deputy Lenihan wants to make that charge he should stand up like a man and make it.

I asked the Minister a direct question, whether the lowest tender was accepted in this case. Can the Minister tell us that from the information he has before him?

I have already answered that point. The tender was given to the firm that the Garda authorities considered to have put up the most acceptable tender.

Yes or no?

I will not go any further than that.

Quite obviously from what the Minister is saying it was not the lowest tender.

If that is not what I described it as, then I do not know what is.

May I ask a final supplementary? What is the registered address of the company who were awarded this tender?

Am I in order in answering that, a Cheann Comhairle?

It is a matter for the Minister.

It is not covered by the Official Secrets Act.

It is covered by the normal procedures.

That is what Deputy Woods seems to insinuate.

The Minister has been very reticent in his information about the matter. I am just pointing out that it is not covered by the Official Secrets Act.

On Deputy Treacy's question, I have not in my papers a piece of paper with the letterhead of the firm in question, but I am sure that Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn will be quite happy to communicate with Deputy Treacy about the matter.

It is not Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn's job. The Minister should do it properly.