I move that the University Education (Agriculture and Dairy Science) Bill, 1929, be read a second time. This is a short Bill, and it is practically all contained in Sub-section (2) of Section 2, which reads:
(2) So much of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the Principal Act as limits the amount to be paid thereunder to University College, Cork, to a sum not exceeding £67,000 (sixty-seven thousand pounds) shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof it is hereby enacted that the amount to be paid under the said sub-section to the said college shall not exceed the sum of £82,000 (eighty-two thousand pounds).
The Bill is an amendment of the University Education (Agricultural and Dairy Science) Act, 1926. Under that Act it was agreed that a sum of £67,000 be given to the University College, Cork, for the purpose of establishing buildings and plant and their equipment, and the formation of a creamery necessary for an agricultural faculty. It was the intention of the College to build a creamery outside the College. They had made arrangements to do that, but the residents in the neighbourhood where the creamery was to be built objected to the creamery, and the College authorities were advised that if legal proceedings were taken it would be possible to prevent the building of the creamery there. It was then decided to build the creamery within the College. The College authorities decided, and the Minister for Finance agreed, that the new building should conform in type with the College buildings. Further, it was agreed that the cost of the new lecture hall should be given to the College. That accounts for the difference between the £67,000 and the £82,000, which the Bill authorises the Minister to pay. I am sure that will be agreed to by the House unanimously. There is also a further provision which allows the Minister to make payment up to 1932. The original intention of the Cork University was that the buildings should be completed by October, 1929. Now, they find they cannot carry out that intention, and it is provided that they be allowed up to 1932 to complete the building. As this is an urgent matter and the College is in need of money, I would ask the House to agree to the Final Stages being taken to-morrow.
