Undoubtedly. The sole reason we are proceeding with this invention is that we believe it has very considerable commercial possibilities and that, when the stage is reached at which commercial exploitation becomes possible, the State will get an adequate return for the money which it is now spending on development. The money is required during the present year mainly for the completion of the research work on which the company and the company's experts are engaged, for completing the system of patents which is necessary to protect our rights in foreign countries, to continue the operations of the Drumm trains, Nos. 1 and 2, which are in operation, and for working out processes of manufacture.
No provision is made in the Estimate for contingencies, although circumstances may arise during the year which may necessitate urgent expenditure such as an order for batteries from some firm or country, which order would have to be fulfilled. The board estimate that it will be necessary in the present year to manufacture one lorry-battery, as an experiment, one train-lighting battery, two or three bus starter and lighting batteries, as well as a Diesel starter battery. These works are being undertaken to test the suitability of the battery for various purposes, and it is to finance activities of that kind that the money is required. There have been a number of inquiries concerning the battery from different countries and very exhaustive tests have been carried out under the direction of the firm of transport engineers who are advising the company concerning the battery. The company hope to be able to complete their development plans during the course of this season, in which case the question of the manner of control and the procedure for financing activities of this kind in the future would arise for consideration. At some stage, it is inevitable that this property of ours will be placed in charge of an organisation which will have much closer resemblance to an ordinary commercial organisation than the present company, which is entirely financed and maintained by annual Votes in the Dáil. At some stage, it may be necessary to provide capital in the ordinary way and to allow the company to proceed with commercial development. That stage may be reached in the present year but that will depend on the result of the investigations and the development work which are being undertaken. The principal item covered by the Vote, apart from the items I have mentioned, is provision for salaries and working expenses. The Board maintains a research staff of certain dimensions and employs fitters, mechanics and workmen in their factory in order to carry out battery-construction work. A large part of the Vote is intended to meet this expenditure.