asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether the Minister for External Affairs and other Ministers have, since their appointments, received new passports, and further, if he will state over whose signature the "Request ... in the name of His Majesty George V ..." (on the inner cover of their passports) is made; and if this Request is not now made over the signature of the present Minister for External Affairs, why not; and when it is proposed to have his signature affixed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministers' Passports.
The Minister for External Affairs and another Minister have received new passports since their appointment. The request is still made over the name of the late Minister for External Affairs. A large quantity of request forms had been printed in anticipation of a much larger demand for passports than has in fact taken place. There is still in stock a considerable number of forms, and we intend to use them until at least the end of the year.
Then I take it that at the end of the year a new request form will be issued under the name of the present Minister for External Affairs?
Well, I cannot exactly say that. If there are still a large number of request forms on hand the Government might decide to continue the practice for a further period.
If there was a possibility of saving money in any other way and if that were handed over to the Vice-President would he guarantee then to destroy the request forms in the name of the late Minister for External Affairs?
If the Deputy has any other way of saving money and suggests that way to me I will be happy to consider it.
I was thinking that some of the members of the Housing Board would dispose of their salaries to the Government.