Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jul 1927

Vol. 20 No. 15

ORDUITHE AN LAE—ORDERS OF THE DAY. IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. SUPPLEMENTARY AND ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES. - VOTE 69—O'HIGGINS SETTLEMENT.

The PRESIDENT

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £20,000 chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1928, chun deontais i gcabhair chun soláthar do dhéanamh do bhaintrigh agus do leanbhái Chaoimhghín Uí Uigín, Leas-Uachtarán na hArd-Chomhairle, agus Aire Dlí agus Cirt.

That a sum not exceeding £20,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1928, for a grant-in-aid to provide for the widow and children of Kevin Christopher O'Higgins, late Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister for Justice.

The circumstances in which it has been found necessary to present this Vote to the Dáil will not, I think, require any explanation.

Mr. HEWSON

There is one point which I would like to put to the President in connection with this Vote, Why is the lump sum proposition preferred to an annuity?

The PRESIDENT

That was a matter which received consideration, and upon which we asked for advice. The general consensus of opinion was in favour of a lump sum rather than an annuity. The lump sum avoids the annual presentation of a vote in connection with the matter, and we thought, in all the circumstances, it would be more satisfactory, bearing in mind the equation of the lump sum to what the proposed annuity was, and calculated accordingly. This sum will be given to trustees for investment. It will liquidate any liabilities there were against the estate of the late Minister, and will provide for his widow and children.

Mr. O'HANLON

Will there be a separate trust for the widow and for the children—two trusts?

The PRESIDENT

I could not say if there will be two trusts, but the children will be provided for within the trust.

Question agreed to.

The Dáil went out of Committee.

Resolutions reported and agreed to.