Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1961

Vol. 189 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Industrial Research and Standards Bill, 1961—Money Resolution.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. J. Lynch)

I move:

That for the purpose of any Act of the present session to make better provision for the promotion of industrial research and the standardisation of commodities, processes and practices and for these and other purposes to provide for the reorganisation of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas:—

(1) to the Institute in every financial year of such grants towards its expenses as may be determined by the Minister for Industry and Commerce;

(2) of expenses incurred in the administration of such Act.

Mr. Dillon

Has the Minister any idea of what the cost involved will be?

Mr. J. Lynch

I cannot say what is the cost involved, but, as the Deputy knows, there has been a ceiling of £35,000 on the expenditure of the Institute over the past number of years since its establishment. Even though the ceiling was never actually reached, I believe the reason was that the Institute felt themselves circumscribed by that limit. Now with greater freedom of administration, with greater scope for research and for testing on their part, I should imagine that the existing ceiling will be exceeded by several thousand pounds. The procedure will be that the Institute will present its budget every year, much in the same manner as a section of any of the Departments, and it will be discussed in that way. There will be no upper limit except as will be agreed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce with the Minister for Finance. I am sorry I am not able to give any accurate indication of what that figure is likely to be from year to year.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolution reported and agreed to.