asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of each financial year since 1932-33 the amount of State money spent on arterial drainage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arterial Drainage Expenditure.
The information sought is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
EXPENDITURE on arterial drainage including Central Engineering Workshop expenses but excluding Headquarters engineering and administration charges.
|
£ |
|
|
1932/3 |
52,500 |
|
1933/4 |
66,500 |
|
1934/5 |
41,500 |
|
1935/6 |
29,000 |
|
1936/7 |
41,500 |
|
1937/8 |
37,500 |
|
1938/9 |
18,000 |
|
1939/40 |
14,500 |
|
1940/1 |
16,500 |
|
1941/2 |
15,000 |
|
1942/3 |
8,000 |
|
1943/4 |
25,500 |
|
1944/5 |
26,000 |
|
1945/6 |
13,500 |
|
1946/7 |
18,000 |
|
1947/8 |
44,000 |
|
1948/9 |
295,000 |
|
1949/50 |
400,000 |
|
1950/1 |
460,000 |
|
1951/2 |
725,000 |
|
1952/3 |
715,000 |
|
1953/4 |
610,000 |
|
1954/5 |
630,000 |
|
1955/6 |
705,000 |
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state in what years during that period was the least amount and the greatest amount spent?
We know the Government is extravagant. You do not have to tell the country that.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House whether any full State grant was given for arterial drainage, or any other type of drainage, during the whole of the period from 1922 to 1932?
If the Deputy puts down the question I will give the answer.
There was not a full State grant.
In reply to Deputy Palmer, it has risen from an expenditure of £8,000, State grant, in 1942-1943, to £705,000 at the present day.
Is it not a fact that the main arterial drainage scheme upon which the Government is at present employed is draining young men and women out of this country?
(Interruptions).
Order!
Could we be told why Deputy MacEntee has had to resort to the strategy of putting down questions Nos. 17 and 18 in the name of Deputy Cunningham and Deputy Galvin when he could easily have put them down under his own name?
Because he is not interested in the job himself.
Question No. 21.
Wait, Sir.
The Chair has called the next question.
No, Sir. A question has been asked here in which my name has been mentioned. I trust that the Deputy who has put that question to you will be in a position to furnish to you the grounds on which he has based that question.
Deputy Casey ought to know this is the "wall of glass" policy back again.
Deputy Casey happens to be interested in the City of Cork. Deputy Galvin represents the City of Cork. If Deputy Galvin is more alive to the interests of his Cork constituents than Deputy Casey is, then Deputy Casey ought not to be asking me questions.
(Interruptions)
Order!
Resign. Resign.
What interests has Deputy MacEntee in Cork?
Order!
But, Sir——
Sit down.
Deputy MacEntee will resume his seat. I am taking the next question.
Too dirty.