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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Feb 1961

Vol. 186 No. 6

Committee on Finance. - Vote 53—External Affairs.

Tairgim:

Go ndeonófar suim fhorlíontach nach mó ná £15,755 chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1961, le haghaidh Tuarastail agus Costais Oifig an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh na hOifige sin (Uimh. 16 de 1924), lena n-áirítear Deontas-i-gCabair.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take the Supplementary Estimates for External Affairs and International Co-operation together.

I would prefer to have them taken separately.

Two separate debates?

I should prefer that.

The Supplementary Estimate for External Affairs comes before the House because of the need to make provision for the newly established Mission at Lagos, the capital of the Federation of Nigeria, and because it is now clear that expenditure on a number of subheads of the Vote for External Affairs is likely to be somewhat greater than was envisaged when the original Estimate was framed.

Deputies will be well aware of the strong connection that has long existed between Ireland and Nigeria. Irish missionaries have been labouring in that country for some fifty or sixty years. We can indeed be very proud of the work they have done there and of the important role they continue to play in the educational and medical as well as the spiritual life of the Nigerian people. It is estimated that there are at the present time upwards of 1,500 Irish citizens resident in the Federation and making their contribution to the development of this important new African State. Among these citizens there are 1,000 priests, brothers and nuns. Our educational institutions at home are happy and we are happy to see so many Nigerians come to our own country for training in medicine, law and other disciplines.

It is our hope that the establishment of a Mission in Nigeria will prove beneficial to the work of our missionaries and other citizens there. I know that they will appreciate having an official Irish representative in Nigeria, as indeed they and the people among whom they live and work appreciated the Taoiseach's presence at the Independence Celebrations at Lagos.

The Federation of Nigeria—the most populous single national unit in Africa—is bound to exercise an important influence in the future development, political and economic, of that continent, and it is already playing an important and valuable part in the United Nations.

We hope, too, that the presence of a Mission in Lagos will be rewarding for the development of our export trade. It is as yet too early to speak with any certainty of the prospects in that regard but it is at least reasonable to expect that a community of 35,000,00, embarked on the material development to which the attainment of independence gives a most powerful impetus, will provide openings for mutually advantageous trade exchanges with this country.

Last summer the Government decided that it would be appropriate that, before Nigeria achieved independence on the 1st October, 1960, a consular office should be established at Lagos to take care of the interests of Irish citizens and to foster commercial and other contacts. It was not of course possible to have diplomatic relations with Nigeria at that time. After the attainment of independence, however, most other countries which had hitherto had consular missions in Lagos transformed them into diplomatic missions and the Government felt that it was proper for this country to do likewise.

Our Embassy will consist of an Ambassador and a First Secretary with such subordinate staff as may be found to be necessary. Pending the arrival of the Ambassador-designate in Lagos in a few months' time the Embassy will be in the charge of the First Secretary as Chargé d' Affaires ad interim. In the Supplementary Estimate for the current year, therefore, provision is made for the salary and allowances of the First Secretary and subordinate staff and for incidental expenses connected with the running of the office. The estimated expenditure in the current financial year arising out of the establishment of the Embassy at Lagos will be £1,900 under Subhead B.1, £750 under Subhead B.2, £150 under Subhead B.3, and £50 under Subhead B.4.

With regard to the other factors which have necessitated my introducing this Supplementary Estimate, I should mention that we were conscious of the fact that the original Estimate was somewhat tightly drawn. It now emerges that additional sums are required under a number of Subheads, namely, in respect of

(a)salaries, wages and allowances at headquarters and abroad (Subheads A.1 and B.1).

(b)travelling and subsistence expenses in respect of headquarters and abroad (Subheads A.2 and B.2),

(c)official entertainment of distinguished persons (Subheads C.3), and

(d)postage, stationery, telegrams and telephones abroad and incidentals at home and abroad.

Deputies will find details set out in the Supplementary Estimate.

It is now expected that the Appropriations-in-Aid will fall short of what was originally estimated by £1,750.

The net supplementary sum required is accordingly £15,775.

Is it proposed to take the motion to refer back?

Through a misunderstanding, I put down the motion to refer back on No. 53 instead of No. 54. I shall speak on it in the ordinary way.

I agree. Deputy Dr. Browne would like his motion to refer back to apply to Supplementary Estimate No. 54. He put it on No. 53. I have no objection, if the House has none.

Can he not speak on the motion?

I am not concerned to talk on this motion.

If the House agrees with Deputy Dr. Browne to have his motion to refer back apply to Supplementary Estimate No. 54——

Let him talk on it.

Perhaps, Deputy Dillon would agree?

I have no particular view on the matter.

I agree with the proposal to open a diplomatic mission in Nigeria. As the Minister said, this country has been closely connected with the development of Nigeria. Great numbers of persons, particularly priests, nuns and brothers, have gone out there as missionaries and teachers. Indeed, when the Independence celebrations took place in October, quite a number of representatives from religious houses from this country, who formerly laboured there, were invited to attend as well as the official representation on behalf of the Government by the Taoiseach.

Many expressions of gratitude were tendered on that occasion for the enlightened role which these missionaries played in the development of that country and for the contribution they had made in educational and other spheres. It is therefore appropriate on an occasion such as this that this country should have representation there. Nevertheless, this is probably a suitable opportunity to express the view that there may be a tendency for this country, in the changes which are taking place generally throughout the world, to take on too many responsibilities for our resources. We ought to proceed with a certain amount of caution in embarking on new missions or incurring increased expenditure.

The growth of the Department's Estimate and of the Estimate for International Co-operation has been continuous over a number of years. While we have always accepted the view that this country should play an effective part so far as we can in international affairs—and I believe we have, within the limits of our resources, done so since the establishment of the State— nevertheless, compared with other countries, our resources are relatively limited. The part we have played and the commitments we have entered into are quite considerable for our size and for our resources and it is important that we should not lose sight of these facts when matters of this sort fall to be considered.

The establishment of a Mission here offers not merely an opportunity for further contact with the Nigerian people but also, I hope, scope for trade development and the possibility of an expansion in trade between the two countries. It is a matter of satisfaction that the Nigerian people have over the years sent so many students to this country and that we in turn have sent so many missionaries and other people to Nigeria to undertake work which they were peculiarly fitted to do. We approve the proposal to establish the Mission but it is important that we should view all these matters in the light of the size of the country and the resources available.

I agree that we should be careful before we establish more Missions abroad but there are certain cases where it is essential that we should establish Missions and undoubtedly one case is Nigeria. It is a country with which, as I pointed out, and as Deputy Cosgrave pointed out, we have had very close associations and very valuable associations for the Nigerian people. Now that they have become independent, it is in the interests of both the Nigerian and Irish people that formal diplomatic relations should be established.

Vote put and agreed to.
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