Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jun 1930

Vol. 35 No. 8

Supplementary Estimates. - In Committee on Finance. Vote 66—External Affairs.

Mr. Blythe

I move:

"Go ndeontar suim bhreise ná raghaidh thar £400 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1931, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an Aire Gnóthaí Coigríche agus seirbhísí áirithe atá fé riara na hOifige sin.

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £400 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1931, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for External Affairs, and of certain services administered by that Office."

Mr. McGilligan

The reason for this Supplementary Vote is described in a footnote in the White Paper. It is the cost of a carpet for presentation as a State gift during the Jubilee Year. The Jubilee Year has been marked by a great many States as a proper occasion on which to make a gift to the Holy Father. Our concern was to make a presentation which would be distinctive in itself and which would indicate certain things characteristic of the country. After consultation with the Vatican authorities it was decided that a carpet was the best form which the gift could take. It will be laid in one of the rooms in which pilgrims ordinarily pass on the way to an audience with the Holy Father.

Mr. Lemass

I take it that the carpet is to be of Irish manufacture.

Mr. McGilligan

That is evident from what I have already said.

Question agreed to.

The Dáil went out of Committee.