Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1931

Vol. 39 No. 11

Public Business. - Vote No. 17—Rates on Government Property.

Mr. Blythe

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £58,300 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íochta an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1932, chun Rátaí agus Síntiúisí in ionad Rátaí, etc., i dtaobh Maoine Rialtais agus chun Síntiúisí mar chabhair chun Rátaí ar Fhoirgintí atá i seilbh Ionadaithe Rialtas Coigríche.

That a sum not exceeding £58,300 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, 1932, for Rates and Contributions in lieu of Rates, etc., in respect of Government property and for Contributions towards Rates on Buildings occupied by Representatives of External Governments.

Mr. MacEntee

I notice that the net total of the Estimate has been reduced from £93,600 to £87,500. Is that due to a general decrease in rates throughout the country, or does it represent merely an arbitrary reduction by the Minister for Finance? The fact that the figures represent a reduction of almost 7 per cent. would seem to be a very effective retort to the statement made by the Minister with regard to local authorities. I think I might paraphrase it by saying that he referred to them as a collection of gasbags.

Mr. Blythe

No. The Deputy is manufacturing that.

Mr. MacEntee

I have a perfectly clear recollection that the Minister justified the reduction.

Mr. Blythe

I deplored the number of those who were amongst the other good county councillors, keeping them from doing their work.

Mr. MacEntee

I do not think that was the actual attitude the Minister took up.

Mr. Blythe

It was.

Mr. MacEntee

I think he felt that the windbags, as he referred to them, exceeded the windmills. That is to say, those who produced the wind exceeded the number who did the work.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That has nothing to do with the Estimate.

Mr. Flinn

Windbags surely were introduced by the Minister for Finance.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It has no relation whatever to this Estimate.

Mr. MacEntee

It is accepted first as a complete refutation of the term the Minister for Finance used in this House in relation to our local bodies, and I think that this is the most eloquent tribute that could be paid to the efficiency of these public bodies which the Minister will not entrust with the making of a single appointment.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to keep closer to the Estimate.

Mr. Flinn

May we discuss Mayo?

Mr. Blythe

In some of the principal figures there is a decrease. There is a decrease in the provisions in regard to the Haulbowline Dockyard because of reduced valuation and the leasing of one portion of the dockyard. There is a reduction of £2,000 under the head of the Department of Defence, due to military barracks in various towns being vacated.

Vote agreed to.