Vol. 70 No. 2
I move:—
Go ndeontar suim Bhreise ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníochtha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1938, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí an Oireachtais, maraon le Deontas-i-gCabhair.
That a Supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1938, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Oireachtas, including a Grant-in-Aid.
We approve of the Grant-in-Aid set out in this Supplementary Estimate, but on the occasion of its being granted it is proper to raise an analogous matter. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a body to which members of any democratic Parliament in the world can send representatives, and this State has authorised the members of our Parliament to join it and to send members to it. There is also a similar organisation which is restricted to the Parliaments of the Commonwealth of Nations to which we belong.
The Deputy is mistaken in thinking that this is an opportunity for raising an analogous matter. On a Supplementary Estimate discussion is confined strictly to the sum asked for and the purpose for which it is required.
May I make this submission, that the purpose for which this Estimate is required is co-operation between the democratic Parliaments in the world?
Quite, but the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the definite body for which money is asked.
Quite so. You rule that it may not be extended to include a body providing for inter-Parliamentary discussions. My submission would be that the Empire Parliamentary Association is strictly analogous to this, and that if we are going to grant money to one we ought to grant money to the other.
No matter how close the analogy no money is provided in this Vote for the body to which the Deputy refers. The matter may not, therefore, be raised.
My submission is that the money here sought for the Inter-Parliamentary Union is also for the general purpose of promoting discussions and intercourse between democratic politicians in all countries, and it is on that basis I ask leave to mention another body which serves the same purpose.
The Deputy must have understood the Chair's ruling.
I hope the Minister will bear in mind the subject matter, the submission of which the Chair deems to be out of order on this occasion.
Vote agreed to and reported.
