Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1926

Vol. 14 No. 14

ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.

Deputy DAVIN

I move:—

That a Return be presented to the Dáil for the years 1912-13, 1913-14, 1914-15, 1922-23, 1923-24, 1924-25 showing (1) the total amount spent upon road construction and maintenance, distinguishing between expenditure by local authorities, expenditure out of Road Fund, special grants, grants for such work from relief scheme votes and other expenditure, (2) the total amount of all rates raised by local authorities, (3) the total amount paid as rates by the railway companies now forming the Great Southern Railways Company, distinguishing between rates on buildings and rates on permanent way, and (4) the amount raised by taxation of motor vehicles.

Mr. BURKE

If the Deputy so desires I can present a statement in the course of a few days giving the details asked for in part (2) of the motion as regards the total amount of rates raised by all local authorities in each of the years specified, but the figures for the year 1914-15 are not available. I can give at the same time the particulars required in part (3) of the motion, but I regret I cannot readily separate the rates on buildings from the rates on railways. As regards the motor taxation figures, those for 1912 to 1915 for An Saorstát would be almost impossible to collect. Moreover its yield in those years was supplemented by a petrol tax, the produce of which went to the Road Improvement Grant, now the Road Fund. Generally, therefore, I propose to furnish within a few days a statement giving as many of the details required in parts (2), (3) and (4) of the motion as is possible from the information at present readily available in my Department. If the Deputy then finds that he would wish any further figures I would endeavour to have them compiled. I assume the information required in the first part of the Deputy's motion is to cover road expenditure from all sources on construction and maintenance by county councils, county boroughs and urban district councils. If that is so I will endeavour to have it prepared. It may, however, be necessary to send a copy of that part of the motion to each local authority, and in that event the Deputy will no doubt realise it will take some time to furnish the appropriate return duly completed.

Mr. DAVIN

I am prepared to wait any reasonable time to allow the Minister to ascertain the particulars asked for in part 1 of my motion, if he will promise to send out a circular and get the information as soon as possible.

Mr. BURKE

Yes.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

Then we will make an order for the furnishing of a return by the Minister on the terms suggested now.

Mr. DAVIN

I am prepared to take the Minister's assurance on the first part of the motion.

Ordered:—That a return be presented to the Dáil for the years 1912-13, 1913-14, 1914-15, 1922-23, 1923-24, 1924-25, showing (1) the total amount expended upon road construction and maintenance. (2) The total amount paid as rates by the railway companies now forming the Great Southern Railways Company. (3) For the years 1912-13, 1913-14, 1922-23, 1923-24, 1924-25, the total amount of all rates raised by local authorities. (4) For the years 1922-23, 1923-24, 1924-25, the amount raised by taxation of motor vehicles.

Professor THRIFT

Does the presence of No. 1 on the Order Paper mean that No. 8 will not come forward in Private Deputies' time?

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

I understand the suggested arrangement is this, that if No. 1—Shop Hours (Drapery Trades, Dublin and Districts) Bill, 1926—is passed and the Second Reading fixed, Order No. 8 will be discharged.