asked the Minister for Finance what action he proposes to take on the suggestion of the arbitrator in the recent Abbey Theatre dispute that the theatre be nationalised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abbey Theatre.
1.
Mr. Ryan
The suggestion to nationalise the Abbey Theatre will have to be carefully examined by the various parties concerned before a decision is taken.
Mr. Ryan
No doubt the Minister will bear in mind that this suggestion was made several years ago in this House and has been repeated times out of number by Deputy T. Lynch and myself.
That is not a question.
Mr. Ryan
I want to know how long more it will take the Minister for Finance to determine whether or not this is a good or bad idea, or will it now be regarded as good and orthodox because it is the idea of Dr. Andrews?
(Interruptions.)
The arbitrator in this case was appointed by the Labour Court and his decision was, I understand, directed to the two parties in the dispute, namely, the Abbey Theatre board and the players. It will come to the Minister from the directors with their comments and not until then will the Minister be in a position to give an answer as to what the position will be.
Mr. Ryan
Having regard to the fact that hundreds of thousands of public money are involved here, which even the Minister for Transport and Power, I suppose, would not call "small beer", the Minister should have had in mind long ago the question of nationalising.
All the more reason why a decision should not be taken hastily.
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.
They were not voted moneys.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware this House voted £300,000——
It did not. The money came from the Funds of Suitors.
£300,000 has been spent on it. Is that "small beer"?
(Interruptions.)
These are not voted moneys.
The Minister admits he robbed the Fund.
It was not the Road Fund, though.
(Interruptions.)