Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Apr 1934

Vol. 51 No. 12

In Committee on Finance. - Vote No. 51—National Gallery.

Mr. Derrig

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £1,940 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1935, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí an Ghailerí Náisiúnta, maraon le Deontas i gCabhair.

That a sum not exceeding £1,940 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, 1935, for the Salaries and Expenses of the National Gallery, including a Grant-in-Aid.

Mr. Fitzgerald

There is just one question which I should like to ask, really in order to give the Minister an opportunity of clearing up the point. It has been freely stated amongst people who are interested in the National Gallery that a certain amount of pressure was put on the Directors, or whatever its governing body is called, to force them to buy a certain picture at an exorbitant price. I presume the Government recognises all the time that once a competent body is set up to deal with the purchase of pictures for the National Gallery or any other public institution—that body being chosen, as one presumes, because of their competent knowledge of the subject, and of their conception of the value in the material—there should be no interference with it. It is freely stated that strong pressure was put on this body to force them to buy a picture at a really ridiculous figure, as far as I can judge.

Mr. Derrig

Might I ask whether any member of the Board made representations to the Deputy on this matter?

Mr. Fitzgerald

That I am not prepared to answer.

Mr. Derrig

I consider the Deputy's remarks are quite uncalled for. They are just as much a reflection on the Board as they purport to be on the Minister. I had no knowledge whatever of the matter, and would not in any way countenance any such transaction. The Board are entirely free in that connection. It is entirely a matter for themselves, and for their own judgement. I do not think that the Board, whom to a certain extent I represent here, will be at all pleased with the Deputy's reference to the matter. I consider it a criticism of the Board and I have no fault what-even to find with that Board.

Vote put and agreed to.