The President has intimated that there is a short statement he would like to make for the information of the House.
LIFFEY HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME. - STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT.
CATHAOIRLEACH
With the leave of the Seanad I would like before the next business is entered upon to place on record the sense of deep obligation to one of its members under which the Government rests for an action of great generosity and public spirit. Senator Sir John Griffith, who, as the Seanad is aware, has devoted several years to the preparation and completion of a scheme for hydro-electric development on the River Liffey, has intimated his desire to present to the Government as custodians for the State all the plans, drawings, calculations and other material comprised in his scheme. He wishes that all the details of a project to which such labour has been devoted should be preserved and be placed at the disposal of whatever body is hereafter responsible for development on the Liffey, should such a development, as is very probable, be necessary in the future. The Minister for Industry and Commerce has already conveyed to Senator Sir John Griffith the Government's grateful acceptance of his magnificent offer, but I thought it only fitting that as head of the Government I should take this opportunity of publicly assuring the Senator, in the House of which he is so valued a member, that his signal public spirit will always be appreciated and remembered by the people of the country.
CATHAOIRLEACH
Perhaps I might be allowed to say on behalf of the Seanad that we gratefully acknowledge the very generous and well-merited compliment the President and his Government has paid to one of our most honoured members.