The Minister for Finance has dealt with the circumstances relating to one sub-head, in connection with the expenses of the Irish delegation to the International Labour Conference at Geneva. The second sub-head makes additional provision for minerals exploration. The Department has undertaken the exploration of the gypsum deposits in the Kingscourt-Carrickmacross area, County Cavan. Gypsum, as Deputies are aware, is a substance which has become of considerable importance as an industrial raw material. It is known there are substantial deposits of gypsum in that area, and we are undertaking this exploration for the purpose of investigating their extent and the consistency of the quality of the deposit throughout its entire extent. The exploration is necessary as a preliminary to any proposal for the development of the deposit or the establishment of any of the industries which use gypsum as a raw material.
The third sub-head deals with the provision of an Irish pavilion at the Glasgow Exhibition this year. It was decided that Ireland should participate officially in the exhibition, following an official invitation to take part which was received some time ago. A suitable site on the ground of the exhibition has been placed at the disposal of the Government, free of charge, and on that site a pavilion is being erected. It is intended that the pavilion shall contain a suitable array of exhibits relating to various aspects of our national life. The building has been designed by a firm of Dublin architects, and the construction of it is now under way.
The total cost of construction, together with incidental charges, such as architects' fees, quantity surveyors' fees and legal expenses, is estimated at £4,400. We have to have the building complete before the end of March, so as to enable the interior decoration and the arrangement of the exhibits to be completed before the opening, which is fixed for 3rd May. It is intended that the exhibits in the pavilion will relate, not merely to our industrial and agricultural production, but will also cover the social, cultural, and other aspects of our national life in such a way as to give the visitor to the pavilion a general impression of the progress of this country in these various spheres. It is not possible at the moment to give a precise estimate of the total cost of participation in the Exhibition, but it is not expected to exceed £20,000. The present Vote covers the proportion of the total expenditure which, it is estimated, will become payable in the present financial year. That includes the £4,400 I mentioned on account of the cost of constructing the pavilion and incidental charges, and £1,600 on account of the cost of preparing and dispatching exhibits, as well as a provision of £500 for publicity expenses.