Vol. 50 No. 15
I move:—
That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the services of the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1934, namely:—
Votes Nos. 22 (Stationery and Printing), 33 (Gárda Síochána), 62 (Posts and Telegraphs).
When will the Estimates be taken?
On Friday.
Will the Minister say what Vote 33 (Gárda Síochána) is for, and the amount of it?
£25,846 for additional provision for the Gárda Síochána.
In view of the amount of money required for the Gárda Síochána, I suggest that that Estimate should not be taken until next week.
That is not possible. We must take the Vote on Account next week, and we wish at least to have copies of the Estimates circulated before the Vote on Account is taken. Therefore, we must have these Estimates on Friday if we are to circulate a proof volume of the Estimates.
This is, I take it, the Estimate for the new force established in connection with the Gárda Síochána, and some very large questions will arise on any discussion of the Gárda Síochána at present under that particular heading and certain other headings, such as non-proper discharge of Gárda Síochána duties recently. The Minister will not be able to confine the discussion that, in the public interest, is necessary on a Vote like that to this week.
Naturally general matters with reference to the Gárda Síochána can be discussed on this Estimate, including, if the House desires it, the question of the new recruits which have been brought in. I submit, however, that the proper place for that discussion would be on the Vote on Account which will be taken next week and which will give an adequate opportunity to discuss all the matters that might be raised on this or any other Estimate.
Does the Minister seriously suggest that an important discussion on a very definite matter should be crowded into the general type of discussion likely to arise on the Vote on Account? I think that in fairness to the Gárda authorities and in the public interest the discussion should be segregated by itself, and I submit that it should be left over until next week.
I am not anxious to incommode the Opposition Party in regard to this, but really it will be impossible because, on account of the fact that Easter comes early this year, and that we shall have to adjourn for Holy Week, we shall have one week less than we normally would have for dealing with the financial business at the end of the Session.
When will the book of Estimates be circulated?
We hope, as in former years, to circulate proof volumes of the Estimates on Tuesday next, but we can only do that if we dispose of the Supplementary Estimates on Friday.
Surely the Minister does not seriously put forward the plea that the discussion of a Vote for a specific purpose should more properly come on the general Estimate, which has nothing to do with the particular sum of money involved?
I want to make the point that it is not customary to delete items on the Vote on Account. I think you will agree, Sir, that the custom is to take one main item of policy and discuss it. I think it would be undesirable that we should go into the details of any Estimate on the Vote on Account.
I am sure, Sir, you will be perfectly clear that I did not suggest that we should discuss items. I said that the general administration of the Gárda Síochána might be discussed on the Vote on Account.
