I move:
That a sum not exceeding £58,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1977, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary to the President, and for certain other expenses of the President's Establishment.
The main Estimates and six of the Supplementary Estimates which are being introduced today were prepared by the previous Government. I am advised it is necessary that the main Estimates for all Votes should be passed before the Dáil adjourns for the summer recess, as the amounts authorised to be spent under the Central Fund (permanent Provisions) Act, 1965, will not be adequate to maintain services until after the Dáil resumes in the autumn. The Government have not had time to examine the Estimates in detail, but we assume that the amounts set out in them are necessary to meet ongoing commitments. Six of the seven Supplementary Estimates which I earlier asked for leave to introduce were approved by my predecessor. I am advised they are necessary mainly to enable expenditure on new services to be met or to provide urgent financial assistance for certain grant-aided bodies. In this instance, also, the Government have not had time to consider the Supplementary Estimates in detail and are taking them on trust as being essential.
I understand the Whips have agreed that the main Estimates and six Supplementary Estimates will be passed without debate. I am prepared to introduce token Supplementary Estimates in the autumn to enable Deputies to discuss any of the services. The exception is the second Supplementary Estimate for Local Government which will be moved by the Minister. That Supplementary Estimate represents the first step the Government are taking towards carrying out their programme as put before the people in the general election.
