Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Mar 1938

Vol. 70 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Vote 21—Miscellaneous Expenses.

Minister for Finance (Mr. MacEntee)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suím ná raghaidh thar £7,030 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, 1939, chun Costaisí Ilghnéitheacha áirithe, maraon le Déontaisí áirithe i gCabhair.

That a sum not exceeding £7,030 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, 1939, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain Grants-in-Aid.

Mr. Cosgrave

There is one item which appears this year and appeared also last year under sub-head A, £2,800 towards the cost of structural alterations in the Abbey Theatre. Was the £2,800 paid last year?

Mr. MacEntee

No. This is merely a re-vote.

Mr. Cosgrave

Is it expected that it will cost the £2,800?

Mr. MacEntee

Well, that is the limit of our contribution.

Mr. Cosgrave

I notice that there is a sum of £1,000 for the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland. It may have escaped the Minister's notice that one of the criticisms uttered in the celebrated Longford election a few years ago was in regard to the fact that £1,000 was being given to the "Zoo" to feed wild animals while the poor in various parts of the country were being neglected. I notice that, like a great many other peculiarities of the Fianna Fáil Party, they have probably repented of their criticisms and are now generous with the money.

Mr. MacEntee

I am sure the Deputy would not like us to discontinue it. Would he?

Vote put and agreed.