Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Monday, 16 Jul 1923

Vol. 4 No. 10

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - ESTIMATES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES. MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.

Mr. BLYTHE

I move:

"That a sum not exceeding £193,445, be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1924, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, including Umpire and Courts of Referees; for Contributions to the Unemployment Fund and to Special Schemes; for Payments to Associations under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; for advances to Workpeople under the Labour Exchanges Acts, 1919; for Fees and Expenses of Medical Referees under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1906; for Fees to Certifying Surgeons under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901; for Fees and Expenses under the Trade Board Act, 1909 and 1918; for Fees and Expenses under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, and the Gas Regulation Act, 1920; and for Contributions towards the expenses of an Irish Stall at the Daily Mirror Fashion Fair.” (£102,000 had been voted on account.)

Mr. JOHNSON

I beg to move that the consideration of this Vote be deferred so as to allow of details of Sub-head (a) to be presented to the Dáil. It is now, I suppose, some three months since the Estimate was drawn up, and no details have been presented regarding the Sub-head (a), giving particulars of "Salaries, Wages and Allowances, £180,000," and I think it is due to the Committee that such particulars should be given. There may have been difficulties some months ago in drawing up these statements, but, in the meantime, no doubt, men have been detailed to draw up such particulars, and I think they ought to be presented to the Dáil so that we should understand what we are voting. I beg to move accordingly.

CATHAL O'SHANNON

I second.

ASSISTANT MINISTER for INDUSTRY and COMMERCE (Mr. J.B. Whelehan)

When the Estimates were being prepared the organisation of the Ministry was not completed, and it could not possibly have been foreseen what offices would be necessary and what salaries would, accordingly, be required for officials. I have, however, available at present, particulars of all salaries, wages and allowances, and I shall be very glad to have these circulated to the Dáil, but it has only been possible to have these compiled very recently. As a matter of fact, the Vote on account of the Ministry is now exhausted, and if it will meet Deputy Johnson's point that I should have these particulars circulated, I will undertake to have them circulated as quickly as they can be turned out.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

They are not ready now?

Mr. WHELEHAN

No; they are not ready at the moment. You understand, I have all the figures and all the particulars as to staff, salaries, wages and allowances, but one copy only.

Mr. JOHNSON

How soon could this be circulated?

Mr. WHELEHAN

As soon as we possibly can have them graphed.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

We could not have these particulars circulated for an hour or an hour and a half, which would be too late.

Mr. JOHNSON

I am sure the Minister was not expecting that this particular Estimate would be taken tonight, and, therefore, he would not be disappointed at not having to deal with it.

Mr. WHELEHAN

I have been expecting this Vote to come up for the past month, the Deputy will understand.

Mr. DAVIN

I think it would be undesirable that the Vote should be passed this evening without the information that has been asked for by Deputy Johnson, and for that reason, and for that reason alone, I think it is desirable that the Vote should be deferred until we are in possession of the information asked for.

Mr. WHELEHAN

I quite appreciate that, and that Deputies are perfectly entitled to ask for all the particulars under that head (a). I have no objection to having it left over until to-morrow.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

Shall we take that as an agreement, without putting the motion?

Agreed.

Motion withdrawn accordingly.