I move:
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £10,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1973, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain grants-in-aid.
Committee on Finance. - Vote 16: Miscellaneous Expenses.
There are two items involved here, one on Motion No. 8 and one on this Vote.
The Members of the House will be aware that the previous Government, subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann, undertook, in the aftermat of the Derry shootings in January, 1972, to provide moneys through suitable channels to help the minority in Northern Ireland to achieve, through peaceful action, a just form of administration. The Government at that time envisaged this financial assistance being channelled through the Assembly of the Northern Irish People which had indicated its intention of launching a fund to assist those who were deprived of human rights in Northern Ireland. It was therefore decided to give moneys by way of grant-in-aid to the Assembly's fund. This fund would be administered by trustees under the auspices of the Assembly for the assistance of those deprived of human rights and the Government contribution would be confined to defraying the cost of administration and publicity, in other words, to covering the initial expenses of the fund which was launched on 21st February, 1972.
In the different situation which subsequently developed it was deemed inappropriate to press ahead with the question of the grant-in-aid and the matter has remained dormant since. The present Supplementary Estimate consists of the amount necessary to clear existing commitments. These amount to approximately £10,000 in all, practically all of which represents expenditure actually incurred and already proven. Expenditure from the grant-in-aid will be accounted for in detail to the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The position on this is as set out by the Minister. The decision made to assist this fund was made before the abolition of Stormont. When Stormont was abolished the Assembly of the Northern Irish People became considerably less relevant, if not entirely irrelevant. For that reason, this was not continued but by that time these commitments had been entered into.
I would like briefly to confirm what Deputy Colley has said. He is correct in identifying the prorogation of Stormont as the totally different situation to which I referred. When the announcement was made by the previous Government we complained from the Opposition benches, where we then were, that the Opposition of that time had not been consulted before the statement was made. We said we were particularly anxious to ensure that there would be effective control over any money paid by the House, particularly for use outside the jurisdiction of the House. We are satisfied that that is the position and any further accounting or vouching that has to be done will be done. Having regard to what happened on a previous occasion, when money was voted under this subhead, it is necessary in the public interest that that assurance should be clearly given in this House so that public confidence will be secured.
Is it agreed that a Supplementary Estimate of £15,000 be granted?
I thought it was for £10,000?
The first one is for £10,000 and a second one for £15,000 will be moved.
Tóg é nuair is feidir leat.
Question put and agreed to.