I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £2,000 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1948, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Department of the Taoiseach (No. 16 of 1924; No. 40 of 1937; No. 38 of 1938; and No. 24 of 1947).
The main part of the expenditure arising under this Vote is connected with travelling expenses. Two Ministerial delegations went to Paris to the Food and Agricultural Organisation. At that time there were discussions in Paris also in connection with the Marshall Plan. In September last year a further delegation went to London to carry on trade talks with the British Government. At that time a delegation also went to Paris to discuss matters in connection with the Marshall Plan. There were further discussions in the month of November. All this expenditure on travelling expenses calls for the provision of £1,900. The original Estimate was £200 and the additional sum now required is £1,700. Provision is required also to meet the increase in salary voted to the Taoiseach and to his Parliamentary Secretary last year.