Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 May 1941

Vol. 83 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Vote 49—Science and Art.

Tomás O Deirg

Tairgim:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £30,910 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, 1942, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí na bhFundúireachtaí Eolaíochta agus Ealadhan agus chun Seirbhísí Oideachais Ilghnéitheacha áirithe agus Ildeontaisí-i-gCabhair.

That a sum, not exceeding £30,910, be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1942, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Institutions of Science and Art and for Certain Miscellaneous Educational Services and sundry Grants-in-Aid.

General Mulcahy

I should like on this Vote to direct the Minister's attention to a grievance under which a large number of people who deserve to be catering for are labouring in relation to the National Library and the hours of opening there. At the present time the National Library closes at 5 O'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 1 O'clock on Saturdays. I think that under present circumstances people who want to use the libraries should be allowed to escape from the anxieties and disturbances that they might have to meet outside. The National Library is one of the amenities that should be placed fully at the disposal of the people at the present time so that those who are studious, and who want to carry on work there, will be enabled to do so. It is absurd that a building like the National Library should be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. three days a week and that it should close on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 O'clock and at 1 O'clock on Saturday.

Mr. Derrig

I am told that that is a matter that is being reconsidered.

General Mulcahy

It would be a great God-send to many people if the hours of opening were extended. It is a thing that is very badly wanted. The Minister may not have heard all the complaints about it, but it has been really a source of great irritation and inconvenience to very many people.

Vote put and agreed to.