Vol. 120 No. 8
Tairgím:—
Go ndeonfar suim nach mó ná £86,550 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfas chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1951, chun Tuarastal agus Costas na bhForas Eolaíochta agus Ealaíon, chun Seirbhísí Ilghnéitheacha áirithe Oideachais agus Cultúir, chun Cuimhneacháin Céad Blian Thomáis Dáibhis agus Ghluaiseacht na nEireannach Og, agus Ildeontas-i-gCabhair.
Before this question is put I should like to ask, with regard to the question of films, whether it is the Minister's intention to do anything further about producing films in the Irish language—or are we to take it that this token Vote of £5 is an indication of a full stop? I also asked the Minister, with reference to Marshall Aid, whether the Government was taking any steps to make available the moneys that the Administration, I think, is ready to provide for scientific or industrial education. I do not happen to have the official publication by me but I think it is quite definite that provision is available. Could the Minister let us know whether the Government is going to do anything about it?
On the question of films, I had a talk with the National Films Society on the matter but it was not very conclusive. Nevertheless, I know that they are giving attention to the matter.
Recently, representatives of the Comhdháil had an interview with the Taoiseach and myself with regard to certain things they thought could be done for the language. At that interview it was made clear that any specific thing that the Comhdháil could suggest might be done. We would be very glad to examine suggestions and cooperate with them. I have particularly asked the representatives of the Comhdháil who met us, to help me with any suggestions for making short Irish films available. I personally would be very glad to see a news reel made in the Irish language. It is a matter that has been engaging my attention to some extent and will continue to engage it. If any Deputies can suggest in what way we could bring the Irish language into use in the films, we will be very glad to have their suggestions and to examine any scheme we think might be useful.
Regarding the Minister's own suggestion, the news reel in Irish, I imagine some arrangement could be made for that and for the use of Irish, say, in Gaelic Athletic Association championships.
Deputies referred to the importance of the film. I agree that it is very important and I shall see that everything possible is done to examine the situation and to take any practical steps which can be taken.
The Minister has not answered the question about Marshall Aid.
We have been asked to send certain technical people to the United States to see what could be shown to them there by way of machinery or technique to improve technical instruction. We would have to pay the cost over to the States and the Marshall Aid money would pay the cost there. I am not clear at the moment that very much could usefully be done in that way. If, after consultation with some of the technical employers or those that the Dublin Vocational Education Committee are in touch with, we see that anything can usefully be done, I would be glad to examine it and see if we could take advantage of it. However, I am not clear yet, and I do not know that anybody else is, as to what useful work could be done by sending people to the United States at present.
