Vol. 276 No. 13
I move:
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £1,600,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the period commencing on the 1st day of April, 1974, and ending on the 31st day of December, 1974, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and of certain other services administered by the Office, and for payment of certain grants-in-aid.
Might I ask the Minister a question on Vote 43? The total number working in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs is down as 25,287. Would it be possible for the Minister to tell me how many of those people are not established and not pensionable?
I cannot say. Those details are not furnished in the ordinary Estimates Book but I can have inquiries made and communicate with the Deputy.
Could I ask the Minister, as Minister for the Public Service, if he would look into that aspect of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs?
I will certainly.
Could I ask the Minister whether the sum involved here includes any sum in respect of expenditure by the Government Information Service by way of entertainment or otherwise? I will confess that I am not at all clear on the set up in regard to the Government Information Service, which is officially subject to the Taoiseach but which is, apparently, operating under the direction of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. I should appreciate it if the Minister could indicate whether this sum includes any money at all related in any way to the Government Information Service.
No.
The Minister is quite sure of that?
I am satisfied there is not.
Might I inquire from the Minister what is the mechanism by which the entertainment carried out by the various Ministries is paid for? Is it a Departmental expense or otherwise—including the celebrated entertainments of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?
The one in the Shelbourne.
Could I ask the Minister what is the mechanism for payment by the taxpayers, of course?
Expenses are normally paid in the first instance by the Department involved and recovered later from the Miscellaneous Expenses Vote. But there is no expense in relation to the Government Information Service under the expenses of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
Who paid for the Minister's recent trip to Ghana?
Not public funds.
Not public funds?
