asked the Minister for Defence if he will furnish particulars of the £500,000 project at Baldonnel to which the Taoiseach referred in the Dáil on the 30th June, 1953, and state (a) the date upon which work will commence on this project and (b) the number of men who will be employed thereon apart from Army personnel.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Baldonnel Project.
It has been decided to provide concreterunways at Baldonnel Aerodrome and, unless unforeseen difficulties arise, it is anticipated that the work will be commenced about next December. The project will have a substantial labour content but it is not practicable to state the number of men who will be employed on it. Army personnel will not be employed on this work.
Is there any indication as to what the cost will be of these new runways?
It is in the region of about £600,000.
Are these runways for Jet planes?
Not necessarily, but they will probably be used for that purpose if we can get the Jet planes.
Is there any provision in the Estimates for defraying the cost of these runways?
Not in this year's Estimate.
Will the Minister introduce a Supplementary Estimate?
We are always considering the question of advancing any of these services and we will use the runways for Jet planes if we can get the Jet planes.
Are we to understand that there will be a Supplementary Estimate?
Not necessarily.
If it is not met by a Supplementary Estimate, out of what Estimate will the cost be met? Is there any heading in the original Estimate?
No.
Then it will have to be met by a Supplementary Estimate, even a token one, and therefore the Taoiseach is wrong again.
Who will pay for this?
Will these moneys be found out of the Marshall Aid fund?
No, and the Deputy knows that. That is just another of the Deputy's unworthy insinuations.
Will the Minister tell us where the money will come from?
The Taoiseach is wrong again.