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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 Feb 1930

Vol. 33 No. 5

In Committee on Finance. - Vote No. 24—Ordnance Survey.

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim bhreise ná raghaidh thar £100 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1930, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí na Súirbhéireachta Ordonáis agus na mion-seirbhísí a bhaineas léi, ar a n-áirítear Macsamhla de Láimhseríbhinní Seanda do dhéanamh.

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £100 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1930, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Ordnance Survey and of minor services connected therewith, including the Facsimile Reproduction of Ancient Manuscripts.

When the Manuscripts Commission was constituted in October, 1928, one of the terms of reference was the facsimile reproduction of important codices. The Commission decided to begin that part of their work with the facsimile reproduction of the Book of Lechain and of an ancient law tract, H. 2—15, in Trinity College Library. When they got so far the question had to be decided whether an attempt should be made to have the work carried out here or whether it should be sent abroad. After consideration, we came to the conclusion that we could get the work very satisfactorily done in the Ordnance Survey, where there was actually a man who had experience of this work, but in order that the reproduction might be made in what is called the collotype process, which is the best for this sort of work, it was necessary that a certain additional plant should be installed. It is estimated that the work could be done in the Ordnance Survey Department at about two-thirds of the cost that would have to be paid to an outside contractor, and after careful consideration it was decided to instal that plant and do the work at home. The capital outlay which is involved will be repaid in the course of probably three or four years, and, of course, it is more satisfactory to have the work done here and to have any employment that might be given, given here.

Did I understand the Minister to say that if the work was not carried out by the Ordnance Survey it would have to be done by somebody outside the country?

Yes. If it is to be done by this process, which is recognised as the best process.

Can the Minister say if this machinery will be permanent and available for many years to come?

It will be available not merely for the purpose indicated in this motion, but for other matters also. Is there any other machinery such as this in the State at present?

No, I understand there is no machinery for doing this particular process of reproduction.

Question put and agreed to.
Ordered that progress be reported.
The Dáil went out of Committee.
Progress reported. Committee to sit again to-morrow.
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