I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1955, for certain Transport Services; for Grants for Harbours; for the Salaries and Expenses of the Marine Service (Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1952, and the Foreshore Act, 1933 (No. 12 of 1933)); for certain protective Equipment for Ships; for certain payments in respect of Compensation, including the cost of medical treatment (No. 19 of 1946); and for the Coast Life Saving Service.
The original Estimate of £350,000 provided only for payments to the G.N.R. Board towards operating losses and revenue charges and did not include any provision towards capital expenditure. No proposals for such expenditure had been made by the board when the Estimate was prepared. Capital expenditure has, however, been incurred by the board on such items as additional omnibuses and lorries and special cement wagons, as well as on the capital content of the board's renewal and replacement work.
Section 33 of the Great Northern Railways Act, 1953, provides for advances to the board for capital purposes. The agreement scheduled to the Act provides that capital expenditure on rolling stock and on the Dundalk works is met equally by the State and by the Ministry of Commerce, Belfast. Capital expenditure on other assets provided in each area is met in full by that area.
The State's share of the board's capital expenditure from 1st September, 1953, to the 31st March, 1955, is estimated at £258,000 and a Supplementary Estimate is required to authorise the payment of this sum. Expenditure on operating losses and revenue charges is estimated at £183,000. The additional expenditure of £285,000 brings the total charge against sub-head A (3) to £441,000, and will cause an excess of £91,000 on the original provision of £350,000. The excess can be met from savings on sub-head A (2) (C.I.E.) so that only a token Vote for £10 is required. The ambit of the sub-head has been expanded in the Supplementary Estimate to cover payments for capital purposes.