asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the cost to the Exchequer of journeys outside the State between the 1st March, 1959, and 31st March, 1959, inclusive, by (a) the President and his wife, two A.D.C.s and any other staff, including any other incidental expenses, (b) the Minister for External Affairs and his wife and staff, if any, (c) the Minister for Industry and Commerce and staff, including any other incidental expenses, (d) the Minister for Defence and his wife and staff, if any, (e) the Minister for Health and staff, if any, (f) the Minister for Education, and (g) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach and staff, if any.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visits Abroad.
12.
As regards the information requested by the Deputy at (a) and (b) of his question I would refer him to my reply to question No. 13.
The further information asked for is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be included in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Office |
Place |
Cost to Exchequer |
||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
||
|
Minister for Industry and Commerce and Staff (2) |
New York |
58 |
1 |
3 |
|
Minister for Defence |
London and Liverpool |
20 |
16 |
11 |
|
Minister for Health |
London |
50 |
8 |
0 |
|
Minister for Education |
Paris |
Nil |
||
|
Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach |
Liverpool |
7 |
15 |
11 |
13.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the total cost to the State of the Presidential party's visit to the United States, and (b) the names of the persons covered by the expenditure, their official status, and the cost per person.
As was announced in the official statement issued on the matter on the 3rd February, 1959, the party visiting the United States of America in response to the invitation received from President Eisenhower comprised the President and his wife, the Minister for External Affairs and his wife and the two Aides-de-Camp to the President.
Full accounts in respect of the expenses to be borne by Irish public funds have not yet been received. From the information at present available it is estimated that these expenses, including the cost of travel, will amount to about £11,000, of which £8,000 approximately, inclusive of special representation and other expenses arising out of the President's visit borne by the Embassy and other Offices in U.S.A., is appropriate to the Vote for External Affairs. When full accounts are available it is my intention to introduce a supplementary estimate for the portion of the total expenditure that is appropriate to the Vote for the President's Establishment. I am not in a position at present to reply to the Deputy's query as to the cost per person. I may say that the greater part of the expenses involved was incurred necessarily on the arrangements for the visit as a whole, and is not apportionable between the members of the official party.
Might I ask the Minister if it would be correct to assume that the total cost of this trip on the Irish taxpayer will be in the region of £20,000 to £25,000 when all receipts are in?
No.
Furthermore, does he consider, in view of the unemployment and emigration that exist, that that is a right way to spend the taxpayer's money?
That is a separate matter.
As far as I know the expenditure will not exceed £11,000.
Can this amount not be broken up to show what part of that £11,000 has been spent on the wives of the gentlemen concerned?
We shall give the Deputy all the information we can so that he can report back to his chiefs.
Is it not a fact that thousands of pounds were spent on those two ladies at the expense of the poor, starving people of this country? It is not good enough.
Did I hear the Minister aright when he said that £8,000 of that would be refunded from the United States?
A sum of £8,000 would be chargeable to External Affairs, not to the present Vote.
It is a disgrace when half the country is dying with hunger.
14.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will give separate figure of cost per person in connection with the President's trip to America; and if this is the first occasion on which such expenses incurred in connection with wives were met from State funds.
As regards the first part of the Deputy's question, I refer to my reply to question No. 13 by Deputy Dr. Browne. As regards the second part, if the Deputy is referring to expenses arising from an official visit by the President to another Head of State the answer is in the affirmative, but if his question refers generally to State expenses the answer is in the negative.
I should like to ask the Minister whether, in view of the present economic position, he thinks £11,000 is wise expenditure with half the country dying of hunger? I think it is a disgrace.
That is a separate question.
15.
asked the Minister for Finance how many suitcases were purchased at State expense in connection with the President's trip to America, and if he will state the cost of each case so purchased; if presents were purchased, at what cost, and to whom they were given; and the nature and cost of each such present.
I understand that four light-weight trunks were purchased by the Department of External Affairs for the economical transport of material for the Press required in connection with the President's visit to the United States. This expenditure will be accounted for by that Department.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, the matter is one at the discretion of the President and the expenditure involved falls upon his allowance including a special representaion allowance provided in connection with his official visit to the United States.
Does the Minister not consider that the least those people could be expected to do would be to purchase their own suitcases and trunks rather than bleed the taxpayers to the last drop of their blood? I object to money being spent on providing Mrs. Aiken and Mrs. O'Kelly with suitcases. It is a disgrace. Surely some Deputy should raise his voice against it? Half the country is dying with hunger. I object to it.
Order! Question No. 16.
I want to know what was the cost of Mrs. O'Kelly's suitcase?
I have called Question No. 16. The Deputy should make some advertence to the rulings of the Chair.
Will the Chair permit me to find out the cost of Mrs. O'Kelly's suitcase? When Mrs. O'Kelly got it, Mrs. Aiken objected because she wanted one the same.
I shall not suspend the Deputy.
I do not wish to be suspended. I want to object to Mrs. Aiken and Mrs. O'Kelly getting expensive suitcase at the expense of the Irish taxpayer. I think it is a disgrace. Might I raise the matter on the adjournment, Sir?
Question No. 16.
The taxpayer will have to expose this racket.
I have called Question No. 16.