Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Nov 1928

Vol. 26 No. 14

IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - VOTE No. 38—PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE.

Mr. BLYTHE

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £1,920 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh láde Mhárta, 1929, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig na nAnnálacha Puiblí agus Ciméadaí na Stát-Pháipéar, Baile Atha Cliath (30 agus 31 Vict., c. 70; 38 agus 39 Vict., c. 59; agus 39 agus 40 Vict., c. 58).

That a sum not exceeding £1,920 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1929, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Public Record Office, and of the Keeper of State Papers, Dublin (30 and 31 Vict., c. 70; 38 and 39 Vict., c. 59; and 39 and 40 Vict., c. 58).

Mr. FITZGERALD-KENNEY

The total of this Vote is £5,762 for the purpose of keeping, maintaining and looking after the public records of the country. It shows a decrease of £229 on last year. I think Deputies know exactly what the Public Record Office is for. It is not very heavily staffed, and I do not think I need make any remarks in reference to it.

Mr. RUTTLEDGE

This is a small Department, and the amount asked for is not considerable, but we find ourselves in the same position in reference to it as we did in reference to the courts. A Deputy is not in a position to criticise it or say it is overstaffed. That is my difficulty in the matter. But the work that is to be done, I understand, varies very much from time to time, and sometimes the staff there would be practically idle. I have been informed that the office could be run at considerably less expense. Of course the amount involved is very small, but there might be more economies effected. I do not know whether the Minister would think it well to consider it, but in introducing an Estimate like this some particulars as to the amount of work to be done should be given to the House—some idea of the work imposed on the officials.

Question put and agreed to.