Tairgim:—
Go ndeonfar suim nach mó ná £268,000 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, 1955, chun Tuarastal agus Costas Oifig an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh na hOifige sin (Uimh. 16 de 1924), lena n-áirítear Deontas-i-gCabhair.
Subject to your concurrence, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Votes 58, External Affairs, and 59, International Co-operation, together.
In presenting these Estimates I should make it clear that I have not had an opportunity since I took up office of examining all the departmental activities which they cover. I cannot, therefore, give the House all the details usually presented at this time.
The main Estimate for the Department, as Deputies will see, shows a net reduction of £19,270 on that of last year. Details of the various increases and decreases are given in the printed volume. A reorganisation of the Department's staff has resulted in decreases in expenditure on both staff sub-heads, notwithstanding the increase in the Civil Service salary award. Other decreases and an increase on sub-head A (3) are due to recent expenditure trends.
Since the External Affairs Estimate was last before the House there has been no change in the number of missions abroad. Consequently, our offices abroad now number 7 embassies, 8 legations, 1 consulategeneral, 3 consulates and 7 honorary consulates. There has been no change in the number of foreign missions established in Ireland.
Passport, visa, estate and other consular work was carried on as usual by the Department at home and by the consular offices abroad. No appreciable change occurred in the volume of this work in 1953-54 compared to the previous year. During the past year the Department has carried on its usual information and cultural activities.
In regard to international co-operation, Deputies are, no doubt, aware that the Estimate covers the expenses arising out of Ireland's membership of the Council of Europe and of the O.E.E.C. The total amount of the Estimate is £33,200, representing a net decrease of £6,600 on the provision made last year. Details of the various decreases under the different sub-heads are shown in the printed volume.
The provision in respect of this country's contribution to the expenses of the Council of Europe is the same as last year's, while the provision in respect of travelling and incidental expenses shows a decrease of £300 on last year's figure. So far as the council is concerned, we shall continue to co-operate with other members with a view to achieving the greatest degree of unity possible within the framework of its statute.
The O.E.E.C. maintains a vigorous existence and Ireland has continued to play its full part therein. The amount required for our contribution to this organisation is related to actual expenditure incurred in the year 1953-54 and shows a reduction on last year's provision. There is no change in the provision for travelling and incidental expenses in connection with the organisation as no reduction is expected in the number of meetings requiring the attendance of delegates from Dublin.
Provision is made this year for a contribution of £5,000, as against £10,000, towards the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. As the house has previously been informed, this fund is used to finance a long-term programme of child health projects in the economically less developed areas of the world, carried on in close collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, of both of which Ireland is a member. A voluntary governmental contribution of this nature results in the provision of aid to children greatly in excess of the amount of the contribution, as it is equalled, in goods or in cash by the receiving country, and the United States generously donates a further one-third of the total value of the other contributions. It will be arranged that, as before, the contribution will be spent on the purchase of goods in this country.
A commitment has been entered into with the United Nations for payment of a contribution of £5,000 towards their expanded technical assistance programme. Provision for contribution was made in the Estimate as originally drafted but was inadvertently struck out when the Estimates were being examined. It will be necessary, therefore, to take a Supplementary Estimate on this Vote later in the year.