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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Apr 1937

Vol. 66 No. 14

Committee on Finance. - Vote 26—Law Charges.

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £44,780 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1938, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an Phríomh-Atúrnae, etc., agus chun Costaisí Coir-Phróiseacht agus Dlí-Mhuirearacha eile maraon le Deontas i geabhair do Chostaisí áirithe is iníoctha amach as Rátaí Aitiúla do réir Reachta.

That a sum not exceeding £44,780 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, 1938, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Attorney-General, etc., and for the Expenses of Criminal Prosecutions and other Law Charges, including a Grant in relief of certain Expenses payable by Statute out of Local Rates.

This Estimate shows an increase of £1,730 on the provision voted in 1936-37, which was £65,550. The increase is largely casual. Part of it is, to some extent, entirely outside of our control, such as witnesses' expenses, fees to counsel and services of that sort. These arise from the necessity which individuals impose upon the State to initiate legal proceedings.

I gather that the Minister said that the increase in this Vote is entirely outside the scope of his authority.

That it is very largely outside the control of the State.

That seems to me to be an extraordinary statement for the Minister to make. I did not think that any Vote could be outside the control of the State. Does not the Minister control, in some way, the charges made under this particular Vote? Are we not in a position to dictate what will be done with the money that we vote, or have we to provide money irrespective of what is to be done with it?

The Deputy misunderstands the position completely. I endeavoured to explain that if people do not choose to keep the law, we have no alternative except to prosecute them and compel them to obey it. That is what I meant: that the greater part of this Vote is outside of our control. It depends on the goodwill and good conduct of individuals.

Vote put and agreed to.
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