I am making these comments only because Deputies on the other side make comments that are out of order but for which nevertheless they are given publicity in the press while those of us on this side who try to maintain order are thereby precluded from refuting allegations of this nature.
Regarding the specific charge made by Deputy Kelly, there is no question of patronage in the allocation of the assignments under the different headings. The following are some of the details: a film will be made and a number of Irish film producers have been invited to submit details of their treatment of such a film. The Arts Council to which the Deputy referred were invited to take part with Dr. Gerard Victory, Director of Music of RTE, with Professor Anthony Hughes, UCD, and Miss Dinah Mulloy of the Arts Council in advising on a composer for a major orchestral work for the smaller competitions, for example, compositions for a brass and reed band, for the new Irish Chamber Orchestra and for a suitable work for the Irish Ballet Company. So far as the major orchestral work is concerned I do not know whether it is the practice or whether it is feasible to commission a number of people to submit contributions but in this case the four people whom I regard as being well qualified for the purpose suggested that Mr. Seoirse Bodley be commissioned to write an orchestral work. This is being done. There is a one-man show on aspects of Pearse's life and work. It is intended to stage this in the autumn. In addition, a commemorative stamp of a 10p denomination will be issued on 10 November this year by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The Office of Public Works have commissioned Mr. John Behan to execute a bronze bust of Pearse at St. Enda's. I do not know how Mr. Behan was selected nor do I know what is his capacity in comparison with that of any other sculptor but obviously he is a man of high repute and worthy to undertake this commission.
On the other side, the Department of Education are arranging for the reissuing of the educational writings of Pearse and for a new publication of his political writings. These publications will be distributed to schools and colleges so I do not think there could be any patronage there. A range of post-primary and post-graduate scholarships is being drawn up by the Department of Education, details of which will be announced later. Also, an award for excellence in Irish at teacher-training college level is being organised and the Department have arranged also for a Pearse commemoration scholarship at post-graduate level to a foreign university.
The Department of Education are making arrangements also for a training course through Irish for journalists. That course will commence in September-October this year. Full details of these proposals will be announced at a later stage. In addition, the same Department are arranging for the commissioning for distribution to school libraries of an environment reference book to mark Pearse's interest in nature and in the landscape of Ireland. So far as St. Enda's is concerned, the Office of Public Works are arranging to have ready for public viewing during the course of this year as many rooms as possible. Some items of furniture which had been removed are being restored for the purpose and other items which cannot be restored will be replaced by reproductions. The work involves in the main the restoration of An Halla Mór, the library and the oratory as well as some works in the basement. Regarding Pearse's Cottage at Rosmuc, improved facilities are being provided and I understand that Galway County Council also are undertaking certain activities in relation to the cottage.
That is the range so far of the activities and I do not think that anybody can take much exception to them. On the contrary I should imagine that there would be public endorsement for them.
As far as the haste of introduction of this Supplementary Estimate is concerned, as I indicated at the outset it is a new subhead, and we have been given legal advice that it is not possible to draw on the Estimate as a whole in advance of getting formal permission from the Dáil to draw on this new subhead. It was only in the last few days that we learned that some modest payments were required and that it would not be possible to make these modest payments in advance of the Dáil approving of this token Estimate.