I move:—
Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £186,003 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 Oifig an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála, maraon le Coiste Comhairlitheach na Rátaí, agus Deontas-i-gCabhair.
That a sum not exceeding £186,003 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 Office of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, including the Rates Advisory Committee, and a Grant-in-Aid.
The Estimate for the Department of Industry and Commerce shows a net increase of £103,707. The various headings under which that increase takes place, and also the headings which show an estimated decrease in expenditure, are shown on the face of the Estimate. In sub-head A there is an increase, mainly owing to the necessity of increasing the staff in the Trade and Industries Branch, and in the Finance and Establishment Branch of the Department. The increased duties devolving on the Trade and Industries Branch on account of Government policy, and the enactment of various measures have occasioned an increase in the staff of that branch. The additional expenditure on the Finance and Establishment Branch arises very largely from increased work resulting from the operation of the Unemployment Assistance Act. Sub-heads B, C, D, E and F require very little explanation. They are, in fact, explained very fully in the notes. Sub-head G—Subscriptions, etc., to International Organisations, Special Services, Enquiries, etc.—also shows an increase, resulting from the additional contributions which have to be made this year in respect of items (4), (5) and (6). Items (1), (2) and (3) are the same as in previous years. I presume it is not necessary to make any comment upon them. The increase in respect of the contributions to the International Commission for Air Navigation arises from the fact that previous to 1933 the British Commonwealth was a member of that Commission as a unit. Different members of the Commonwealth had not separate membership, and the aggregate expenses of the Commonwealth were shared between the different members. Owing largely to the initiative of the Saorstát, the Dominions were granted separate membership from May, 1933, whereupon each member of the Commission became liable for the future to make a separate contribution to the funds of the Commission. A new allocation of the expenses of the Commission was made for the year 1934, and the Saorstát was placed in the second class. Representations have been made to have the Saorstát placed in the first class, which will involve a lower contribution, but, until the result of these representations is known we have to budget for the contribution required for members in the second class.
The matter of the Imperial Economic Committee was discussed here at some length some months ago, when the report of the Committee on Economic Co-operation was submitted to the Dáil. That Committee recommended that the Imperial Economic Committee should continue to discharge its existing functions, and take over certain other functions, and particularly that the several Governments should agree to contribute to the services to be performed by it. The Saorstát contribution was fixed at 4 per cent. The total expenses of the Committee are estimated at £20,200, and the Saorstát contribution at £808. The contribution to the Imperial Shipping Committee was also discussed at that time, and the same considerations apply in that respect. Sub-heads H (1) and H (2) —Grant-in-aid of the expenses of the International Labour Organisation (League of Nations), etc.—require little explanation. The notes on the face of the Estimate will give Deputies any information they may desire in that connection.
Sub-head I.—Coal Freight Subsidy— is a new service, initiated some time ago in order to assist owners and crews of small registered vessels, which have become wholly or partly disemployed, in consequence of the changed conditions operating in respect of the importation of coal, consequent on the development of the dispute with Great Britain. It was decided to grant a subsidy of 2/6 per ton in respect of each ton of coal imported by such vessels into the smaller ports from the 9th May, 1933. The subsidy is restricted to small cargo vessels, with registered tonnage not exceeding 170 tons, which are owned by Saorstát citizens, and manned entirely by masters and seamen who are citizens of the Saorstát. The subsidy is not payable in respect of coal imported by any one vessel in excess of 500 tons in any one month, and applies only to cargoes discharged at the smaller ports of the Saorstát. The number of vessels coming within the scope of the subsidy is 35, of which 23 have actually availed of the subsidy, and the number of hands employed is 200 permanently, and 100 additional from time to time. The approximate tonnage imported on the vessels to date is 42,000 tons. The Ship Owners' Association, the body interested in getting this small bounty, reported some weeks ago that the bounty was working satisfactorily in the case of motor and shipping vessels, and that three additional motor vessels, which had been lying at Arklow for some time, had put to sea within the previous month.
Sub-head J.—Minerals Exploration— is also a new service. In 1932 the Executive Council gave instructions that arrangements should be made to explore the mineral resources of Arigna and Slieveanierin areas. At first, it was intended to carry out the exploration by geophysical methods but later it was decided to employ the direct method of investigation by borings and cuttings. Accordingly, a contract was entered into with Associated Contractors (Ireland), Limited, representing a group of French engineering firms, to carry out explorations and furnish a complete report of their investigations. The contract stipulates that local labour is to be employed and materials of Saorstát manufacture used as far as possible. The actual boring is being done by an Irish firm under the supervision of Associated Contractors, Limited. On the basis that approximately 48 borings may be made, it is estimated that the cost will be over £13,000.
The next item in the Estimate is the Prices Commission. The Prices Commission was appointed in April, 1933, and has been requested, from time to time, to undertake certain investigations. It has been asked in particular to investigate the prices charged for bread, wheaten flour, wheaten meal, mineral hydro-carbon heavy oil, and it was recently required to hold a public inquiry under Section 17 of the Housing Act, 1932, into the cost of materials and appliances used in the building of houses. Additional members were appointed on the Commission for the purpose of the inquiry. The inquiries regarding the price of bread and the manufacturer's price of wheaten flour and wheaten meal are nearing completion, and the Commission expects to be in a position to furnish a report regarding each of these commodities at an early date. The inquiry regarding the manufacturer's price of mineral hydro-carbon oil has been completed and the report has been furnished. The inquiry regarding the prices of materials and appliances used in the building of houses is being actively pursued at present and it is anticipated that reports upon certain sections of the inquiry should be completed at an early date. The first annual report of the Commission, covering the period from its appointment to the 31st December, 1933, has been prepared and submitted. The desirability of holding an investigation into the prices charged for other commodities is under consideration. In addition to the work done by the Commission, the Comptroller of Prices received and investigated a number of complaints during the year in respect of prices charged at particular sales for a number of commodities and, in a number of cases, he was successful in securing reductions in prices.
The next heading of the Estimate deals with Peat Fuel Development. The results of the efforts to popularise and extend the use of turf as a fuel encourage the hope of further success in the present year. It is proposed to work along the same lines as last year, but in a more extensive way. It is intended to purchase immediately an additional 150,000 sacks at 1/7 each, approximately, and it may be found necessary later to purchase additional sacks. The purchase of macerating machinery for experimental work in different parts of the country is also under consideration. The co-operative idea of working the production scheme was a very distinct success last year. Only about 25 societies were effectively organised, because of the late start that was made. Seventy-three societies are now registered and some 30 societies are in course of formation.
The work of the organisation of the societies is being entrusted to the I.A.O.S., and it is proposed to finance that organisation to the extent of £3,200 for that purpose. It is proposed also to set up a central marketing organisation under the auspices of the I.A.O.S., with representation from the Department of Industry and Commerce, to ensure proper distribution of orders, regular supplies, and to eliminate long-distance transport as far as possible. It is estimated that the central marketing organisation will cost the Department about £1,600 during the present year. Publicity in connection with the sale of peat will be entrusted to this central marketing organisation. It is proposed to rely again upon coal merchants to sell the turf, and it is hoped to get from them throughout the country more extensive co-operation than was obtained previously. One of the chief things in this connection is, of course, bog drainage and road making, and certain engineering staff has been employed for that purpose. On another Vote, the Dáil is being asked to provide the money required for the purpose of bog drainage and road making. The function of the department directing these activities will be to ensure that a market will be available for all the high-quality turf which is produced. The producers will be asked to supply the turf this year at the same price as last year—11/6 per ton on rail. There were 314 applications for appointment as approved distributors under the Government scheme and, of these, 179 were appointed in 90 towns throughout the Saorstát. It was, however, considered desirable to suspend the appointment of distributors in January, as turf supplies began to run out. Advertising had to be suspended for the same reason about the same time.
The next item in the Estimate is the Industrial Research Council. An Industrial Research Council was set up a couple of months ago with terms of reference which were submitted to the Dáil and published in the Press. 24 members have been appointed to the Council, representing various branches of science, engineering and industry. The functions of the Council are of an advisory character, and its duty will be to consider and advise the Minister for Industry and Commerce on such matters, coming within its terms of reference, as the Minister may, from time to time, refer to the Council. It is intended that the Council will advise as to the establishment of a library and bureau to contain the records of research associations in other countries, and such technical and scientific publications as have a bearing on existing industries here, or industries likely to be established in the Saorstát. The Council will also have certain duties with regard to the award of research scholarships and will advise, from time to time, as to how the money allocated for this purpose can be best used. The Council will also advise as to the best means to be adopted to stimulate and promote the establishment of industrial research committees in collaboration with either general industrial organisations or other groups of industrial firms.
The next main sub-head deals with the production of industrial alcohol for which a sum of £120,000 is being asked. This matter has already been debated on a Supplementary Estimate which was introduced last year. It is proposed, as Deputies are aware, to undertake the production of industrial alcohol in experimental plant. The construction of the experimental plant, which will take the form of five small distilleries and a central refinery, will be commenced in the present year. A tentative agreement has been made between the Government and a continental firm of experts, as a result of which the technical knowledge, skill and advice of the continental firm will be placed at the disposal of the Government in all matters relating to the design, construction and operation of the plant for a certain period. It will be necessary, of course, to have legislation before an agreement with the firm of experts can be finally concluded, or before the actual operation of the plant and sale of the product can be undertaken. In the meantime it is intended to proceed with the construction of the plant. It is expected that a beginning will be made, in that connection, in the course of a couple of months. It is not possible to say yet to what extent it would be possible to get the plant into operation during the course of the present year, or whether it will be possible to deal with any portion of the present year's crop. Certain delays have occurred in negotiations with other parties, and we have not yet been able to get final information as to the length of time it will take to have the distilleries constructed, but it is hoped to have them constructed before the end of the present year so that some of this year's stock at least will be dealt with. Neither is it possible to state the price at which the raw material will be purchased or the finished product will be available for sale. These are matters yet to be determined and it is for the purpose of getting information that the present experimental work is undertaken. Certain figures are available, and it is on the basis of these figures that the decision to proceed was made.
