Committee on Finance. - Vote 54—Gaeltacht Services. – Dáil Éireann (12th Dáil) – Thursday, 22 May 1947

Committee on Finance. - Vote 54—Gaeltacht Services.

An tAire Tailte (Seán Ó Maoláin)

Tairgim:—

Go ndeonfar suim nach mó ná £360 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfas chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1948, chun Tuarastal agus Costas i dtaobh Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta, ar a n-áirítear Deontais um Thogail Tithe agus Bréidíní Baile a cheannach agus a dhíol.

Tá ag teastáil faoin meastachán seo sé mhíle déag, trí chéad agus seasca punt. Is lú de dhachad-a-seacht míle, seacht gcéad agus fiche-cúig punt an méid sin i gcompráid leis an méid a soláthraíodh anuraidh; ach sé faoi ndear sin ná gur mó de sheachtó-naoi míle, naoi gcéad agus triocha-sé punt na Leithreasa-i-gCabhair a meastar a baileofar agus ná fuil curtha leis an gcaiteachas ach triocha-dó míle, dhá chéad agus aon phunt déag. Dá n-áirítí a n-íoctar as Leithreasa-i-gCabhair, chífí go bhfuiltear ag brath ar chaiteachas de cheithre chéad agus óchtó-sé míle, ocht gcéad agus caogadó punt ar fad agus go bhfuiltear ag súil le fáltais airgid de cheithre chéad agus seachtó míle, cheithre chéad agus nócha-dó punt.

Tá méadú de naoi gcéad agus triocha-naoi punt ar chostas an Cheann-Ionaid agus sé is mó faoi ndear é sin ná gnáth-bhreisithe tuarastail agus costas na n-athruithe ar thuarastail a ceadaíodh le déanaí lúide sábháltas maidir le méid na foirne dá soláthraítear. Tá sa soláthar seo tuairim is míle, dhá chéad agus caoga punt a bhaineann le foirinn atá ar iasacht ag Ranna eile Rialtais.

Tá dhá mhíle, seacht gcéad agus fiche-naoi punt de mhéadú sa tsoláthar faoi mhírcheann D.1. do thuarastail na foirne atá i mbun na dTionscal Tuaithe. Sé faoi ndear an méadú ná an fhoireann bhreise dá soláthraítear agus costas na n-athruithe ar thuarastail a ceadaíodh le déanaí. Tá méaduithe beaga ar na mírchinn D.2. agus D.3. freisin toisc na n-athruithe céanna.

Tá laghdú de sé chéad agus caoga punt sa tsoláthar faoi mhírcheann D.4. do chostais taistil foireann da dTionscal Tuaithe. Ní ceapter go mbeidh gá leis an méid céanna taistil i mbliana.

Tá méadú de naoi míle, seacht gcéad agus caoga punt sa tsoláthar faoi mhírcheann D.5. do Mhaisíní agus Planda. Tá áirithe sa tsoláthar breis is cheithre mhíle déag punt i leith gléasra don mhuileann shníomhacháin i gCill Chártha agus baineann an chuid is mó den tsoláthar tharais sin le maisíní don tionscal cniotála. Fuarthas cuid den ghléasra shníomhacháin roimh dheireadh na bliana roimhe seo ach níor húsáideadh an soláthar a bhí sa Vóta dhó, toisc nár thuit sé le n-íoc do réir coinníollacha na gconartha.

Tá céad agus caoga-seacht míle, sé chéad agus seasca punt á soláthar le haghaidh abhar déantóireachta faoi na mírchinn D.6., D.8., D.9., D.10., agus D.11. i gcompráid leis an gcéad agus ochtó-ceathair míle, cheithre chéad agus seachtó-seacht punt a soláthraíodh don bhliain anuraidh. Tá an soláthar don bhliain seo bunaithe ar an dtrádáil a ceaptar a déanfar le linn na bliana sna tionscail fiteacháin agus bréagán.

Maidir le caiteachas eile faoi na mírchinn sin, tá méadú de chúig míle agus caoga-seacht punt ar an soláthar a deintear agus baineann an chuid is mó de leis an soláthar bhreise atá á dhéanamh i dtaobh bréidín baile a cheannach.

Tá méadú de dhá mhíle déag, ocht gcéad agus nócha-cúig punt ar an soláthar faoi mhírcheann D.12. le haghaidh an tionscail deilbhíní luaidhe atáimíd tar éis a bhunú i gConamara. Níl an tionscal san faoi lán-tseol go fóill agus táimíd ag súil le cúnamh an lucht oibre chun an tionscal a chur ar a bhonnaibh i gceart.

Tá méaduithe beaga ar an soláthar faoi na mírchinn E.1. agus E.2. le haghaidh tuarastail agus costais taistil na foirne atá i gcúram na dtionscal mara.

Táimíd ag soláthar fiche-haon míle, náoi gcéad agus seachtó-cúig punt níos mó faoi mhírcheann E.3. le haghaidh an tionscail cheilp agus feamna. Tá soláthar ann chun ceilp a cheannach aris le haghaidh potáise ach, ag féachaint don deacracht a bhain le margadh a fháil an bhliain seo ghaibh tharainn, is féidir ná cuirfear chun mórán ceilpe a cheannach i mbliana. Beifear ag ceannach i bhfad níos mó slata mara agus feamain, ámh, agus déanfaidh sé sin cúiteamh sa scéal. Tá laghdú ar a soláthraítear do chostas iompair toisc ná tuitfidh cuid áirithe de ar an Roinn i mbliana. Tá méadú mór ar an soláthar do chostais láimhseála na feamna, toisc ná raibh sa tsoláthar anuraidh ach comhartha. Tá deireadh curtha anois leis an Ordú Cumhachta Práinne a bhí i bhfeidhm i dtaobh na Ceilpe ón mbliain 1943 anuas.

Níl ach sé chéad agus fiche punt á holáthar faoi mhírcheann E.4. le haghaidh an tionscail chairrgín bídh. Ní bhainneann sin ach leis an gcairrgín a chuireann an Roinn ar an margadh i bpaicéidí mar abhar bídh. Fágtar faoi ghnólachta príobháideacha an gnáth-chairrgín tráchtála a cheannach ó na bainteóirí agus a dhíol ar an margadh anseo agus tar lear.

Tá méadú de cheithre mhíle, cheithre chéad agus ocht bpunt ar an soláthar faoi mhírcheann F.1. do thuarastal foireann an Taisc-Ionaid. Sé faoi ndear é sin ná méadú ar líon na foirne maraon le costas na n-athruithe ar thuarastail. Tá méadú de thrí chéad agus caoga punt ar a soláthraítear do thaispeántais faoi mhírcheann F.2. ach tá laghdú de seacht gcéad agus caogacúig punt ar na hiol-chostais faoi mhircheann F.3.

Níl aon difríocht sa tsoláthar faoi mhírcheann G. le haghaidh Seirbhísí Ilghnéithe. Is soláthair chomhartha atá sna mion-ranna go léir taobh amuigh de mhion-roinn (5) a bhaineann lena n-íoctar amach faoi dhéin costas áirithe i dtaobh na Seirbhíse Iompair idir Oileán Cléire agus Dún na Séad i gCo. Chorcaighe.

Tá méadú de chéad agus seachtó punt sa tsoláthar faoi mhírcheann H.1. do thuarastail na foirne tuaithe atá i mbun obair na dtithe sa Ghaeltacht, toisc na n-athruithe ar thuarastail. Tá méadú de thrí chéad agus fiche punt ar a soláthraítear faoi mhírcheann H.2. do chostais taistil agus eile na foirne sin.

Táimíd ag soláthar dhá mhíle punt níos mó i mírcheann H.3. le haghaidh deontas faoi Achta na dTithe (Gaeltacht). Tá méadú ag teacht, diaidh ar ndiaidh, ar na cásanna a ceadaítear.

Tá meadú de thuairim is ochtó míle punt sna Leithreasa - i - gCabhair a meastar a gheobhfar. Baineann an méadú sin nach mór ar fad leis na tionscail tuaithe agus leis na tionscail mara. Meastar go mbaileofar isteach agus amach le cheithre chéad agus cheithre mhíle déag punt as na tionscail tuaithe—méid atá nóchaceathair míle punt níos mó ná a measadh a baileofaí anuraidh. Táimíd ag ceapadh go mbeidh méadú ar na díolacháin faoi gach gné de na sean-tionscail agus tá san áireamh na díolacháin as an dtionscal deilbhíní luaidhe a bunaíodh le déanaí. Meastar go n-íocfar amach tuairim is céad mile punt mar pháigh oibre agus is méadú é sin de bhreis is triocha-cúig míle punt ar a measadh anuraidh.

Tá soláthar ann do thuairim is fichetrí míle punt breise a bhailiú as ceilp agus feamain a dhíol. Bheadh méadú ar a mbaileófaí fiú amháin dá bhfágtaí an cheilp ar lár.

Chífear ón dtuairisc seo go léir go bhfuiltear ag cur go mór leis an obair atá á cur ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Tá laghdú mór ar an méid glan a hiarrtar faoin meastachán ach sé faoi ndear é ná an meastachán forlíontach a ceadaíodh don bhliain seo ghaibh tharainn agus a bhain go mór le soláthairtí a cheannach do na tionscail tuaithe. Taispeánann an meastachán go bhfuiltear ag súil le méadú ina ndíolfar d'earraí na dtionscal tuaithe agus an tionscail feamna; go bhfuil méadú ag teacht ar an obair faoi Achta na dTithe; agus go mbeidh méadú mór ar a bhfaighidh muintir na Gaeltachta mar pháigh nó cúiteamh oibre de bharr a bhfuil á dhéanamh ag an bhFo-Roinn.

Seosamh Ó Mongáin

Molaim an meastachán seo a chur ar gcúl. Tá chuile mheastachán eile árdaithe go hárd agus an ceann seo íslithe. I mbliana, i meastachán na Gaeltachta, níl ann ach £16,360. Anuraidh, bhí an meastachán seo £64,084; mar sin, níl ann i mbliana ach ceathrú cuid a raibh ann anuraidh agus, do réir mo bharúlsa, níor theastaigh sé ariamh chomh géar is theastaoís sé i mbliana. £16,360 le haghaidh na Gaeltachta agus an méid céanna le haghaidh na Seirbhíse Sicréidí! Tá faitíos orm nach páiste aon duine an Ghaeltacht ach páiste gach duine, más fíor dhóibh féin. Ní minic mórán meas ná cliú ar pháiste a bhfuil gach duine ina athair aige. Is amhlaidh leis an nGaeltacht é. Níl Aire sa Teach seo nach bhfuil a bheag nó a mhór baint ag a roinn leis an nGaeltacht agus gach Roinn ag iarraidh an cúram a chur di féin. B'é leas na Gaeltachta dhá mbeadh cúrsaí riaracháin a bhaineas léi faoi aon Roinn amháin agus ar an mbealach sin thiocfadh sé an-éasca dhúinn méar a leagan ar aon áit a mbeadh locht. Ní ag fáil locht ar an Aire atá mé. Dá mb'ar mo lámhsa a bheadh níl Aire sa Teach arbh bhfearr liom cúram na Gaeltachta a bheith air ná ar an Aire Tailte.

Ní féidir le duine ar bith a rá nach í an Ghaeltacht—Inis Meáin agus áiteacha dá samhail sin an Ghaeltacht —ach tá gantann agus ocras sna háiteacha sin, faraoir. Ní talamh cruithneachta an talamh atá ann agus is olc an ceart go mbeadh oiread le fáil ag daoine i lár na hEireann—áit a bhfuil togha talamh cruithneachta—agus atá ag daoine a bhfuil talamh ann mar atá i gConamara. Níl tine ná teas, solus ná léargus, plúr ná rud ar bith eile acu faoi láthair. Béidir go bhfuil an oiread airgid sa nGaeltacht is a bhí le fada ach cén mhaith sin nuair nach féidir tada a cheannach leis? Gan amhras, níl an Ghaeltacht ag fáil cothram na Féinne. Má táimuid dáiríre faoin nGaeltacht is ceart dúinn aire a thabhairt do na daoine atá ann agus gan mórán acu a ligean as más féidir é. Tá rud acu nach bhfuil le fáil in áit ar bith eile—rud nach féidir le airgead a cheannach—an Ghaeilge.

An focal scoir: Is cuimhneach liom an rud a dúirt Eamon Ceant an uair dheiridh a bhí sé in mo theach, agus níor cheap mise an tráth sin go mbeadh Rialtas dar gcuid féin againn chomh luath sin. Dúirt sé:—

"Faoi láthair níl an límistéar seo ag fáil an oiread is ba cheart dó. Níl aon mheas ar na daoine ach tiocfaidh an lá, agus béidir nach fada uainn é, a dtiocfaidh an Ghaeltacht i seilbh an rud is dual di, sé sin, slí bheatha a bheith ag na daoine, tithe maithe agus deis grinn."

Tá faitíos orm nár chuir an Rialtas a chuaidh rómhainn ná an Rialtas seo lena ngeallúintí. Dá gcuireadh, ní bheadh muid mar támuid inniu. Is beag Acht a ritheadh sa Teach seo ariamh chomh mait le Acht na dTithe (Gaeltacht). Ba cheart tuilleadh airgid a bheith le fáil faoin Acht sin anois i ngeall ar a dhaoire atá ábhar tógála, a thrí oiread ar a laghad. Árdaíonn tithe maithe croí na ndaoine. Tá siad ag tógáil monarchan i gCill Chiaráin anois. Is maith an rud é sin mar feiceann na daoine go bhfuil meas éigin orthu. Ba cheart don Aire a dhul i gcomhairle lena chomh-Airí agus féachaint le rud éigin mór—rud éigin buan—a dhéanamh don Ghaeltacht agus, go háirithe, tuilleadh bídh a thabhairt do na daoine ann. Ní ina ghrá Dia atáim á iarraidh. Tá siad lán-toilteanach íoc as rud ar bith a gheobhfas siad.

Gearóid Mac Pharthaláin

Ní ceart a rá, mar adúirt an Teachta atá tar éis labhairt, gur £16,000 an méid atá le caiteamh ar an nGaeltacht faoi meastachán seo. Níl san méid sin ach an fuíoll atá fágtha tar éis £360,000, leithreasaí-i-gcabhair, a bhaint den méid iomlán, £376,000. Nuair a chuimhníonn duine ar na deacrachtaí a bhain le stiúrtheoireacht na seirbhísí seo le sé nó seacht mbliana anuas is mór an chreidiúnt atá ag dul dóibh go bhfuil an oiread seo d'airgead le spáráil acu agus ná fuil siad ag brath ar an méidín seo £16,000. Isé mo thuairim go mba cheart ainm éigin eile a chur ar na seirbhísí seo seachas "Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta". Nuair bhaineann duine úsáid as an fhocal "Gaeltacht" sé an rud a thagann in a aigne ná sábháil na Gaeilge agus rudaí cultúra. Tá níos mó ná sin faoi cúram na fo-Roinne seo. Tá rud eile ann agus is iondúil cuimhniú air agus an Meastachán seo os ár gcóir, sin é go bhfuil beagnach gach Roinn eile ag cuidiú agus ag obair ar son na Gaeltachta. Cuirim i gcás, an Roinn Tailte, an Roinn Rialtas Áitiúil agus Ranna eile. Tá siad seo ag cuidiú leis an nGaeltacht freisin.

Rinne an Teachta deireannach tagairt don C.D.B. Rinne siad obair an-mhaith ach tá an méid seo le rá ina dtaobh: go raibh seans acu sin a dhéanamh ná fuil ag na daoine a bhfuil an Ghaeltacht faoina gcúram faoi láthair. Bhí cuid mhaith talún le fáil an t-am sin agus thiocfadh leo daoine a shocrú air agus tithe a thabhairt dóibh. Tá an talamh sin tugtha amach anois agus ní féidir é sin a dhéanamh anois. Ní he an Rialtas seo a chuir deireadh leis an C.D.B. D'iarr an Teachta deireannach orainn an Meastachán seo a chur siar mar nach bhfuil go leor á dhéanamh ar son na Gaeltachta. Ach tá rudaí maithe déanta ag an Rialtas le cúpla bliain anuas. D'árdaigh siad deontas na Gaeilge anuraidh agus ba mhór an rud e sin.h-Árdaoidh méad scoláireachtaí na Gaeltachta i mbliana. Sa Ghaeltacht, san larthar, tá monarchana nua bréagán curtha ar bun i mBaile na hAbhann agus tá an tionscal cniotála le bhunú sa gClocháin. Glacaimis buíochas leis an Aire dá thairb he sin agus tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal leis an iarracht seo agus go dtabharfaidh an scéal dóchas agus muinín dúinn i dtreo go gcuirfidh sé feabhas agus slacht ar na ceantracha ina bhfuil sé suite. Is é mo thuairim féin gurb í an mhonarcha seo an ceann is fearr a cuireadh ar bun sa Ghaeltacht faoin Rialtas seo—an mhonarcha i mBaile na hAbhann.

Tá buntáiste áirithe ag baint leis faoi láthair—gur féidir leo a gcuid earraí a dhíol in Aimeiriceá. Is maith an rud sin san aimsir seo agus na dollaerí ag teastáil uainn.

Is í an tseirbhís is fearr ar mhaithe le muintir na Gaeltachta ná an t-oideachas. Mura bhfuilimid le hamhantraíocht phríobháideach a chur ar leataobh ar fad agus monarchana agus tionscail a chur díreach faoi stiúriú an Stáit ar fad, ní féidir an cheist a réiteach le tionscail. Is féidir faoiseamh a thabhairt do na daoine ach is fearr le duine ar bith a bhfuil ciall aige tionscal atá bunaithe ag duine príobháideach, ná déantuis faoi Stát, ach mura gcuirtear iachall ar dhaoine ní bheidh siad sin le fáil againn. Má déantar sin beidh ceist eile le réiteach againn.

Níl mise sásta, ach oiread leis an Teachta a labhair, leis an staid agus an bhail atá ar an nGaeltacht ach ní ceart bheith ag gearán faoin Aire agus an Rialtas fhaid is tá a lán rudaí maithe déanta acu. Ní aontaím leis an tairgsint an Vóta seo a chur siar. Tá creidiúint agus moladh tuillte ag an Aire le dhá bhliain anuas. Cibé milleán atá ann ní ar an Aire atá i mbun an Mheastacháin seo atá an milleán.

Ba cheart—agus seo m'fhocal scoir— ainm éigin eile a cheapadh don Rannóig seo. Tá a fhios agamsa go bhfuil sí ag cuidiú le muintir na Ghaeltachta ach tá cúramí eile uirthi seachas leas na Gaeltachta. Is é an rud a bhíonn in aigne na ndaoine agus an t-ainm seo ós a gcóir ná sábháil na Gaeilge, agus labhairt na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn. Tá mise sásta ar chuma ar bith go bhfuil feabhas ar obair na ndaoine seo. In ionad milleán a chur ar an Aire, is cóir moladh a thabhairt dó agus misneach a thabhairt dó agus é a ghríosú chun níos mó a dhéanamh.

Molaim é agus tá súil agam go méadóidh sé an obair mhaith atá á dhéanamh.

Gabhann muintir na Gaeltachta i nGaillimh a mbuíochas leis.

Micheál og Mac Pháidín

A Chinn Comhairle: Is maith liomsa cuidiú leis an Teachta Ó Mongáin sa rún atá aige an meastachán seo a chur ar ais lena athbhreithniú. Ní gan fáth a chuireas an Teachta Ó Mongáin a chasaoid romhainn. Is léir leis nach bhfuil an Ghaeltacht, ach go háithrid Gaeltacht an Iarthair, ag fáil cothrom na féinne ón Rialtas.

Anois, tig meastachán mar seo romhainn gach bliain agus molann muid suim áithrid airgid a chaitheamh ar mhaithe leis an Ghaeltacht agus ansin luigheann muid siar agus síleann muid go bhfuil ár ndualgas déanta. Ní leor sin. Ba chóir dúinn dearcadh siar agus breithniú an bhfuil toradh ar bith ar shon an airgid seo. Cad é an stad a bhfuil an Ghaeltacht fá láthair? An bhfuil deireadh leis an imirce a bhí ag bánú na Gaeltachta? An bhfuil an Béarla ag breith buaidhe ar an Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht? An bhfuilmid ag dul 'un cinn no ag dul ar gcúl? Is mór m'eagla go bhfuil an t-othar ag éirí níos laige i ndiaidh iomláin ár gcuid doctúireachta. Deirtear nach bhfuil ball sa tír chomh luachmar leis an Ghaeltacht. Agus má tá sé chomh luachmhar sin i súla an Rialtais nár chóir go mbeadh níos mó airgid againn sa mheastachán seo agus níos mó suime in obair na tárrthála.

Más í an teanga cloch dúsraith ár náisiúntachta tá an Ghaeilge chomh riachtanach—i bhfad níos riachtanaí in mo bharúilse—leis an Arm Saighdiúirí agus na longa cogaidh atá againn faoin Aire Cosanta. Agus dearc ar chostas an Airm agus na soitheach cogaidh i gcomórtas le meastachán na Gaeltachta.

Seo mo ghearán agus gearán an Teachta Ó Mongáin, nach gcuirtear go leor airgid ar fáil don Roinn Tailte le dhul i gcionn scéimeanna móra sa Ghaeltacht. Níl siad ach ag útamáil ó bhliain go bliain mar tá siad ar ghannchuid airgid.

Is feasach damh go bhfuil a bheag nó a mhór le déanamh ag gach roinn den Rialtas sa Ghaeltacht. Go dearfa b'fhearr an scéal dá mbeadh an Ghaeltacht faoi roinn speisialta di fhéin mar bhí faoin sean-C.D.B. Anois, tá tionscal na hiascaireachta faoi an Roinn Talmhaíochta agus chuaigh sé ó ráth faoin roinn sin. Tá tionscal na n-éanleithe agus uibheacha faoin roinn chéanna agus tá tionscal na móna, a bhfuil bun maith aige sa Ghaeltacht, faoi roinn eile. Níl an comhcheangal nó an comhoibriú idir na ranna atá riachtanach. Chonaic muid an éagóir a rinneadh ar iascairí Theidhlinn i nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill, nuair a dhíol an Roinn Airgeadais stáisiún iascaigh a thóg an C.D.B. do na hiascairí sin. Chonaic muid mar thóg an Roinn Tionscail agus Tráchtála na bóithre iarainn i nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill a bhí de dhith le móin agus iasc a chur 'un margaidh. Chímid an Rialtas ag tabhairt dúinn le láimh amháin agus ag baint dínn le láimh eile. Ní hionadh go bhfágann úthairt mar seo an Gaedheal bocht gan dóchas nó misneach agus le beagán iontaoibhe i Rialtas na tíre.

Dá dtéadh againn na daoine a choinneál sa bhaile go téagartha agus a meon agus a n-intinn a choinneáil ón choigríoch bheadh an báire linn. Chun seo a dhéanamh níl dadaí chomh maith leis na tionscail baile nó déantúisí teallaigh atá an tAire Tailte a chur chun cinn. Ní thig le muintir na Gaeltachta bheith beo ar na screabáin bheaga loma talaimh atá acu gan saothrú éigin eile. Muirín ar bith atá i muinín an talaimh amháin níl i ndán dóibh ach sclábhaíocht agus ánas i rith a saoil.

Tá fhios agam gur ceist achrannach go minic ag an Roinn socrú cad iad na tionscail is fearr a oireas do gach ceantar fá leith—Rinne an Piarsach, agus an Ruiseálach, stuidéar cruinn air seo agus mhol sé dúinn leanúint do cibé obair speisialta a bhí coiteann sa cheantar i gcónaí, feabhas a chur ar an tionscal seo agus margadh a fháil dó.

I gceantar amháin sé an báinín an tionscal atá coiteann, i gceantar eile cniotáil atá acu, bróidnéireacht agus lása i gceantar eile, brait urláir i gceantar agus bréagáin i gceantar, agus chois farraige iascaireacht, ceilp agus carraigín. Sílim nach bhfuil amhras ar aon duine gurb é tionscal na holla an tionscal is tábhachtaí acu seo go léir agus gurb í is fearr a fhóireas do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Tháinig sé leo anuas ó dhúchas. Tá lúth na mhéar agus an éirim chinn acu do obair na holla. Thig an dathú, an sníomhaireacht, an deilbhiú agus an fhíodóireacht go réidh chucu. Bheir sé níos mó saothrú ná an chuid eile de na tionscail go léir.

Admháim go bhfuil tús maith déanta ag an Roinn ar an tionscal seo i nDún na nGall agus tá súil agam go leanfaidh siad de go dlúth go mbeidh sé buantseasmhach acu. Ach d'iarrfainn orthu coimheád géar a choineáil ar an tionscal seo, nó b'furas é a chur ar bhealach na haimhleasa gan a bheith faicheallach. Tá cead anois ag an Roinn Tráchtála an báinín a chur go tíortha i gcéin. Is maith an scéal go bhfuil éileamh air sna tíortha seo. Ach is é an chontúirt atá ann nach gcuirtear an snáth nó an deilbh nó an fhíodóireacht cheart ann mura gcuirtear scrúdú géar ar an báinín súl a bhfága sé an tír seo. Seo mar milleadh an tionscal breá seo cheana féin i ndiaidh céad chogaidh mhóir na hEorpa. Ligeadh amach é gan scrúdú nó marc trádála agus chaill sé an sean-chlú a bhí ariamh ag báinín Dhún na nGall. Tá aire agus cúram mór a dhíth ar an tionscal seo má tá sé le dul chun cinn agus chun maith tháirbheach a bheith air sa Ghaeltacht.

Tá mórán ceantar eile sa Ghaeltacht a d'oirfeadh do thionscal an bháinín agus do réir mar tá éileamh ar an éadach seo thiocfadh leis an Roinn é a spréadh amach go bhfaigheadh gach ceantar sa Ghaeltacht a bheag no a mhór le déanamh.

Ba mhaith liom go dtógfaí teach margaidh don bháinín i nGleann Cholmcille. Gníthear mórán báinín sa cheantar seo agus is é an paráiste is Gaelaí in Eirinn é. Bhéarfadh sé misneach agus uchtach do bhunadh an Ghleanna seo teach margaidh a bheith acu dóibh féin thar a bheith ag dul aistir fhada go minic i ndoineann agus i bhfliuchlach. Ba maith liom tigh a bheith tógtha do na fíodóirí óga chomh maith.

Ba mhaith linn cuntas níos iomláine a fháil ar obair an Central Depot i mBaile Átha Cliath ar gach abhar atá ar láimh acu o cheann go ceann na bliana, mar theach gnaithe ar bith eile: báinín, éadach, cloigthúir, cniotáil, bréagáin, ceilp, carraigín agus eile. Deirtear go bhfuil costas trom leis an depôt seo agus go gcaitear níos mó airgid air nó ar oibríonnaí na Gaeltachta. Is doiligh liom sin a chreidbheáil.

Mholfainn don Aire níos mó suime a chur in obair na fo-roinne agus tuilleadh tionscal a chur ar bun dúinn agus feabhas a chur ar na sean-tionscail atá againn.

Cormac Ó Breisleán

Ba mhaith liomsa cúpla focal a rá ar an meastachán seo—meastachán atá ag baint le croí na tíre—an Ghaeltacht. Duine ar bith a bheirfeas cuairt ar an Ghaeltacht, sé an chéad rud a chuirfeas iontas air ná na tithe breátha folláine atá scaptha go fairsing ansin inniu. Sé Act Tithe na Gaeltachta a d'fhág na tithe sin againn agus murac an cogadh bheadh amharc súl de thithe bhreátha ann ná beadh a leitheidí le fáil in aon chearn eile dEirinn.

Chuidigh na deontaisí fiala, fiúntacha a thug an Rialtas go mór leis na tithe sin a thógáil agus tá na mílte teaghlach san Ghaeltacht buíoch don Rialtas de thairbhe na ndeontaisí sin. Tá fhios againn uilig inniu nach fiú mórán an punt anois agus fosta go dtáinig ardú mór ar luach abhar tógála. Mar sin de molainn don Aire na deontaisí a dhúbladh ar a laghad ar dhóigh go mbeadh lucht na Gaeltachta ábalta críoch a chur leis an obair bhreá a rinne siad sul ar bhris an cogadh amach.

Ní fiú oiread anois na deontaisí a tugadh roimh an chogadh agus mar sin de ghlacfadh lucht na Gaeltachta tuilleadh cuidithe sul a bhféadfadh siad leanstan de thógáil tithe. Mheasfadh duine ó chaint na dteachtaí ar an taobh eile den Teach go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht sna sneacarnaí deireannacha acht tá fhios againn uilig nach mar sin atá an scéal.

Is doiche ná fuil rudaí san Ghaeltacht chomh maith is d'fhéadfeadh siad a bheith acht tháinig biseach mór ar shaol na ndaoine ansin agus le cuidiú Dé biseoidh sé tuilleadh sna blianta atá le teacht. Rud amháin ná fuil seachrán ar bith ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta fá dtaobh de—sé sin an obair bhocht a rinne Fine Gael don Ghaeltacht roimb 1932 agus an stáid bhocht ina mbeadh an Ghaeltacht inniu dá mbeadh an Rialtas i lámha Fine Gael ó shoin.

Is mór an trua go bhfuil an tAire Talmhaíochta chomh gnoitheach as go geaithfidh sé cuid de ghnoithí na Gaeltachta a fhágáil ag a chuid Stát-Sheirbhíseach. Ghnidh siad a gcuid oibre go maith agus a thig leo acht nil muinín agam astu.

Mholfainn don Aire cuirt a thabhairt ar an Ghaeltacht anois agus arís ar dhóigh go bhfeicfeadh sé an obair atá déanta ansin agus fosta an obair mhór atá le déanamh más rud é go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht, mar tá fios againn í, le mairstin. Tá súil agam fosta nuair a cuirfear tionscail úra ar bun go dtabharfar obair d'fhir óga na Gaeltachta a choinneos sa bhaile againn fhéin iad. Measann an Roinn gur leor obair a thabhairt do chailíní acht is tairbhí i bhfad caoi a thabhairt do na fir óga a slí beatha a bhaint amach sa bhaile. Tá mórán Ceantar i nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill ina bhfeadfaí tionscail úra a chur ar siúl agus tá súil agam ná ndéanfar dearmad de na háiteacha seo nuair a éireos bun-abhar fairsing agus nuair a bheas tionscail úra le bunú.

Cormac Breathnach

Aontaím go mór leis an méid adúirt an Teachta Ó Mongáin. Níl mise sásta leis an tslí ina bhfuil an Ghaeltacht. Tá an Ghaeltacht ag dul i laige, is é sin le rá, go bhfuil tobar na Gaeilge ag dul i ndísc. Rugadh mise sa Ghaeltacht tamall maith ó shoin. Bhi an áit sin ina Ghaeltacht an tráth san ach níl sé anois ina Ghaeltacht. Níl fhios agam an bhfuil an Rialtas ag déanamh mar is dual dóibh i dtaobh na Gaeltachta. Más í an Ghaeltacht an tobar sin do náisiúntacht agus spiorad na tíre seo, cad tá á dhéanamh againn don Ghaeltacht? Labhair an Teachta MacPharthaláin i dtaobh monarchana in iarthar na tíre—i gContae na Gaillimhe is dócha, agus i gConamara—agus tá monarchana i dTír Chonaill chomh maith. Níl faic den tsaghas sin á dhéanamh i gContae Chiarraighe. In aon bhall i gContae Chiarraighe, níl dada á dhéanamh ann. Is dóigh liom féin go mba cheart rud éigin fónta a dhéanámh i gContae Choreaighe thiar, i gContae Chiarraighe agus i gContae an Chláir.

Dhein Teachta éigin tagairt don C.D.B.—an Bord gur tugadh Bord na gCeantar Cumhang air mar aistriú. Níl na ceantracha sin cumhang. Tá siad fuar, fairsing agus folamh, ach ar aon chuma sin é an t-aistriú. Deineadh an bhotún nuair a briseadh an bord sin. Sin bord a rinne obair ard-mhaith ar son na Gaeltachta, ach ní ar son na Gaeltachta é ach ar son na háiteanna ata sa Ghaeltacht. Dá mbeadh aon bhrí ann, mholfainn don Aire a leithéid de choiste nó bord a bhunú arís. Mar a dúirt an Teachta MacPharthaláin, tá an iomarca oibre le déanamh ag an Aire. Tá trí nó ceithre ranna le stiúrú aige agus is deacair iad a stiúrú. Ba cheart dó comhairle éigin a chur ar bun chun an Ghaeltacht a réiteach nó do riarú, agus molaim é sin dó.

I dtaobh ceist an Bhéarla, níl aon amhras ná go bhfuil an Béarla ag dul i méid agus ag neartú sa Ghaeltacht agus níl aon amhras nach bhfuíl na daoine sásta leis sin a thuitim amach. Mar, fé mar tá luaite cheana anseo, tá a lán daoine ón Ghaeltacht ag dul thar lear agus dá bharr sin tá an Béarla acu, ach ní h-ionann sin agus a rá ná fuil an Ghaeilge chomh maith acu. Sé bun agus barr an scéil ná go bhfuil cúrsaí eacnamaíochta go dona sa Ghaeltacht—go háirithe i Dun na nGall agus i nGaillimh fhéin—agus ná fuil aon obair á dhéanamh ag an Rialtas chun feabhas a chur ar an scéal, go háirithe i gCúige Mumhan. Molaimse don Aire saghas éigin boird mar an C.D.B. a chur ar bun nó comhairle éigin a chur ar bun chun scéal na Gaeltachta a choimead ós cóir na tíre agus é a fheabhsú, más féidir é.

An Leas-Cheann Chomhairle took the Chair.

Mr. H.M. Dockrell

This Estimate presents a pattern with which we have been familiar for a number of years. I am wondering if the Minister is satisfied with the progress made on the lines on which he is proceeding. I was endeavouring to make up from the figures given some sort of a balance sheet of the trading being done. If you take one side, the stock at the end of 1946 amounted to £28,000 odd. The expenses under the items from D.1 to D.12 come to £267,000. The wages and commission which are taken off the sales on the other side have to be debited and amount to £110,000, and the expenses of the Central Marketing Board amount to £23,000. These figures total £430,000. On the other side, if you add the wages and commission which are taken off in this Estimate, the gross sales amounted to £357,000 odd. Stocks at the end of March, 1947, amounted to £21,000. If those figures are even approximately correct, one must close the balance sheet with a loss on trading of £50,000.

During a period in which materials were in desperately short supply and there was a demand for practically anything that could be made of woollen or other cloth, when practically everything was saleable, I am wondering if the Government feel satisfied when in order to pay a wages bill, including the commission, as I do not think they are separate items, amounting to £110,000 —and that is really all the people in the Gaeltacht get out of it—there has to be a loss of £50,000. That means that every pound disbursed practically took 10/- to hand out. I cannot think of any trading company that would have results comparable with that.

The next item that strikes one as peculiar in this rather peculiar Estimate is, machines and plant for 1946-47, £10,000, and for 1947-48, £19,750. What becomes of these machines? In two years, apparently, £30,000 is spent on the purchase and maintenance of looms, knitting machines, and other equipment. If my recollection serves me right, for very many years there was an item such as that amounting to £10,000 per year. Looking back at the Estimates, I see that for 1945-46, there was only £1,400 odd. Does the Minister ever take stock of these machines? They say that old soldiers never die, but a knitting machine, apparently, is dead and buried after a year. Can the Minister imagine any commercial firm that would not take stock of the knitting machines? Does the Minister suggest that they become useless after a year? Surely there ought to be some enumeration from year to year. If they are given out in connection with the cottage industries scheme, surely there should be some sort of inspection to find out what is the output from each machine and to see that, if a machine is not being used, it will be handed on to somebody else who will use it.

The next thing that strikes one as peculiar in this Estimate is Item D.3. —Domestic Instruction—Salaries, etc., £387. That is a most modest Estimate for salaries for instruction in domestic economy. It prompts one to ask the question: are we in this country ashamed of women going to domestic service? At the present time I would say that this country, taking it as a whole, is short of domestic servants. If one is to judge from the advertisements in the newspapers, there is a number of people who are quite anxious to get domestic help. In a country where the Government are most anxious to provide employment, is there any reason why domestic service should not be treated in a proper way and girls trained for that service? I suppose the Minister will tell us that some of these girls are anxious to get better positions—that they want to be shorthand-typists, book-keepers and so on. That is very desirable; but I imagine that if the Minister started with the lowest rung of the employment ladder he would probably find that he might be able to do something which would create more employment than all of these schemes put together. If he provided for some sort of a diploma from an institution showing that a girl had received so many months' training in cooking, etc., he would find that if he added £1 per year to domestic servants' wages when starting out he might do more for the country than will be done by all the rest of these schemes put together.

I have left out of the question the present emigration of females to Great Britain for domestic service. Personally, I should like to see them kept at home. But, if they have to go, let them be trained so that they can command the highest wages obtainable.

I understand that there is a scheme on foot for the raising of fruit and vegetables in the Gaeltacht, that glasshouses are to be erected on one-fortieth of an acre, and that there are 100 of these to be grouped together in some sort of unit. I should like to ask the Minister if he has considered what that scheme will lead to. I certainly think he ought to tell us what it will lead to. I have tried to imagine what one-fortieth of an acre under glass means and I hope the Minister will check up my calculation. I have made a calculation that a greenhouse 15 feet wide by 72 feet in length would approximate to one-fortieth of an acre. The Minister must be aware that that scheme would require the use of the two materials that are probably the shortest in supply in this country at present, namely, cement and timber.

My calculation, for what it is worth —and I hope the Minister will check up on my figures—is that to put up such a house would take from £300 to £400 and the person in the Gaeltacht would have to be very careful that that was all the cost. He would have to give a good deal of free labour to bring the cost down to that figure.

I do not intend to refer to it further.

Gaeltacht services cover a very wide field. They are confined to areas where poverty is rife. The Minister for Lands is in a very peculiar position; while he is the Minister in charge of another Department, he has under his especial care a lot of small holdings. It may not be easy for him, in the administration of that other Department, to cope with all the demands made upon him, but I suggest that here he has an opportunity of alleviating some of the hardships that exist by providing employment and better houses and helping in various other ways. I would like to see more industries established under this Vote. Up to the present we have been merely nibbling at the problem.

The Gaeltacht services originated with the old Congested Districts Board, away back in the period before we got our freedom. They developed and were developing to the satisfaction of everybody. They seemed to have good principles behind them, but I am afraid that since this Parliament was established things have been left pretty much as they were and no great improvement has been effected. I am speaking of areas where the holdings are small and where the general outlook amongst youngsters is to leave the country.

If Gaeltacht services were expanded, I think this Department could go a long way towards keeping at home some of the young people in these areas and in providing fairly lucrative employment for them. I think the fault lies in the fact that there is not sufficient money allocated by the Minister for Finance for this particular service. The Minister for Lands seems to be handicapped in many of his Departments—Forestry, Lands and Gaeltacht services—by a lack of finance. In my opinion that seems to be the trouble. I wonder has he been emphatic enough in putting his case forward each year to the Department of Finance. I am sure the officials within this particular service must be pressing for greater expansion and for more money each year. If the Minister does not back them in that demand, he is failing to a certain extent in his job. The poorer areas of the country must be attended to. We had here yesterday, on the Vote for the Department of Education, a good deal of talk on the question of saving the language. While we have people in these areas, areas where Irish is the only spoken tongue, with the ever-present outlook that they can make a living only in a foreign land we cannot make much progress towards the preservation of the native tongue.

I agree thoroughly that it will not be an easy matter to cover the whole ground and to provide holdings of sufficient size in these areas to give the people there a chance of making a fairly decent living but we must supplement agriculture by industries. The Minister is in charge of a Department which is peculiarly fitted for that purpose. In areas where the holdings cannot be increased to an economic size, the Minister, through the medium of Gaeltacht Services, should be able to provide employment for the people. Again, through the Forestry Department, he could do a great deal in that way. Even though there are mountainous areas and impoverished districts in the Gaeltacht, that does not mean that these lands must be denuded of the population simply because the quality of the land is bad. It should be possible to turn the energies of the people to other sources of employment which would help the general national effort as well.

The sum asked for in this Vote is too small in my opinion. We could easily curtail the very large sums of money which we devote to some other Departments in order to spend more on a service such as this. I think the Minister has failed in his three Departments but particularly in this one, in not pressing for more money and for greater expansion. He is asking for £16,360. Practically the whole of that goes in salaries and wages.

Mr. Bartley

The gross total is £376,000.

Mr. Blowick

A sum of £15,742 is going in salaries and wages. Take housing. What is the total amount asked for housing in the Gaeltacht—a very necessary service? I am afraid it is ridiculously small, considering the vast amount of work that must be done under this Department. We all know quite well that in the areas dealt with under this Vote housing conditions are possibly the worst in the country. At least there is a great need for renovation and for complete re-building in many cases. Some work has been done in that connection but, as I have already stated, the problem has only been nibbled at. It has never been tackled in a businesslike way. More vigorous action must be taken if employment is to be provided in those areas because the living to be made on the land is poor at the very best. While we are awaiting the efforts of the Land Commission to increase the size of the holdings in these areas, we must provide employment by means of rural industries to keep people at home and to give them at least a decent living. That is a duty that falls on the Minister under this particular Vote—Gaeltacht Services—and also in connection with land division.

Mr. McMenamin

This Department has been conducted on a semi-commercial basis for some years past. I should like to see the accounts of the Department prepared in such a way that we could ascertain at a glance whether the Department is being operated on a successful basis commercially or not. I think the Minister should approach that question. For years past the House has been looking on the activities of this Department as a sort of a sop to provide employment for the people of the Gaeltacht. Quite apart from the question of cost, we should have passed the probationary stage by now. Having got the machinery in motion, we should be able to bring the accounts into a commercial form so that we could see for ourselves at a glance the success or otherwise of the activities of the Department—how much of the money passing into the whole Department is being devoted to providing employment. I think that should be the main object, that the principal part of this money should go directly to workers' wages and that the minimum amount should be devoted to administration. I think that a beginning should be made in this direction so that the House would see whether the money is being spent effectively and whether the major portion is going in workers' wages as distinct from salaries. From the way the figures are presented at present it is very difficult to get these details. One is struck by the contrast between the amount spent on salaries as against that spent on wages or as against the entire amount of money involved in the Vote.

I should like to hear from the Minister some long-term view of the operations of this Department. We are now facing a new period. For the last six or seven years the Gaeltacht industries have been operating in a sellers' market. At an early date, a much earlier date than perhaps any of us can now foresee, it will be a buyers' market. When the complete conversion of industry passes from military production to civilian production, civilian goods will begin to flow from the factories on the lines of mass production.

I should like to hear from the Minister what his view is as to the prospects of this industry. I regret the rather limited and conservative outlook indicated by the Vote. The main part of the money is to be spent in the factory at Kilcar. The remaining portions are small and subsidiary. The factory, directly or indirectly, gives employment to between 230 and 300 people. There are weavers in the factory and there are weavers in their own homes who bring the cloth back to the factory to be sold. The work done by carders and spinners would perhaps account for another 100 people. Employment of that sort is very limited, especially when one thinks of the Gaeltacht. It really only provides for a speck of the Gaeltacht area. This area should be dealt with by means of a national scheme. As it is, we are not getting anywhere. If one could see that the factory at Kilcar, or a venture made in some other centre was a success after being tested out, then I think we should proceed on a full-blown industrial campaign to cover the entire Gaeltacht area with the existing and other industries. Surely, there are other lines of production besides those which we are considering that would be highly suitable for the Gaeltacht area. In the main there are only two things there: weaving, and, to a limited extent, toy-making. I think it is most regrettable that, when over years past we were carrying out industrial development, some of those industries were not placed in the Gaeltacht areas. In starting any industry there are two things to be considered— power and workers. We had both in these areas. For another reason, of course, it is of importance to preserve the Gaeltacht areas, but nothing has been done about it.

At the moment the Gaeltacht area is reasonably prosperous but for reasons quite apart from anything that has been done by the Department. I refer to emigration and the money earned in England, Wales and Scotland and turf production. These have been responsible for bringing enormous sums of money into the Gaeltacht areas. So far as the Department is concerned, it has only touched the fringe of the problem that is there to be dealt with. It has given no evidence of expanding and developing the beginnings it has made. What the Department has done is not enough. It should take steps to cover the entire Gaeltacht area.

The term "rural industries" has been used here. I wonder do Deputies appreciate, when they use the term "rural industries", what is wanted in the Gaeltacht areas? In my opinion, rural industry should mean something that would keep the people at home and give the people employment.

The House had better make up its mind that, if something is not done for the Gaeltacht areas, they are going to become denuded of their population. There is so much enlightenment now through the daily Press, the radio and the pictures that the people there are not going to sit down in a semi-dumb attitude. When they know the conditions that obtain elsewhere, they are going to seek them. As a matter of fact, they are seeking them and that means a big drain on the Gaeltacht areas. One might describe it as colossal. You have almost the entire female population going over to Great Britain to take up employment as servants or nurses. I repeat that, unless something is done, and done soon, there will be no problem to solve in the Gaeltacht areas. It will have solved itself.

I see that, in the memorandum which the Minister has circulated, he refers to a decline in the prospects for kelp for the production of potash. There is an increase of £21,975 this year for kelp and seaweeds. I would like to hear the Minister explain what are the prospects. The sum set aside appears to be infinitesimal. The carrageen side of the Department has disappeared off the map altogether. I had hoped at one time that, on the commercial side, there would be a considerable development in that line, particularly for human consumption. Surely during the war there were considerable opportunities for an extension when other cereals that were used for sweets were not available. I should like to hear some explanation as to the causes of the decline. There might also be an extension on the commercial side for converting the carrageen into a mixture for a compound animal feeding. particularly for young stock.

I must say that what is outlined here does not inspire one with any confidence that we are getting anywhere. One would hope that it would not be a mere pretext, but that it would be a reality, and that there would be some long-term view to cover the entire Gaeltacht area so as to provide employment there. This Vote and the report on it does not give one the least confidence that we are going to make any substantial progress in that direction.

The Vote also deals with tweeds and homespuns. There are the factory-produced tweeds and the homespuns where the weaving is done in the homes. There are, of course, other products from the factory at Kilcar. It would be well, I think, if at this juncture we took stock of the fact that after the last war enormous quantities of this stuff were being produced in these areas as well as hand-woven stuffs. Whether the Minister is aware of it or not, the officials of the Department are aware that, owing to the enormous demand there was for this material for use as linings in Army uniforms, the quality was reduced. As it was used for linings and things like that it was not necessary for the quality to be as high as is required for suits and costumes. The Department should ensure that the quality now and in the immediate future will be of the highest, both of design and material. That should be kept in the forefront because, if it got out that the material was of a poor quality and not worth the money, factory-produced tweeds of high quality would be put on the market at a competitive price and would oust these materials from the market, and it would mean that the livelihood of these people would be destroyed and there would be nothing for them but emigration.

I should like to learn from the Minister how he has fared with regard to the conversion of kelp into potash and other fertilisers during the war. To what extent has that been developed and what success has been achieved? Has what happened during the war given any cause for hope of extended use of kelp as a fertiliser compound? During the 1914-18 war considerable tests were carried out. Some of the farmers who used it, particularly flax-growers, were very enthusiastic about the results obtained. I know a man in the North of Ireland who would not use any other fertiliser than kelp for flax because the results, both in quality and yield, were so good. He used pure kelp. Therefore I should like to learn from the Minister what proposals the Department has, in view of the present restricted availability of fertilisers, to extend the use of kelp, if any tests have been carried out, and, if so, with what results. Do the results give any hope of a possibility of mixing kelp with other fertilisers?

I do not know whether I am right or not in concluding that the limited provision in respect of carrageen means that carrageen is not being further developed. The Minister in the statement that he issued indicated that the commercial carrageen has been left to other people. While that may be so, I take it that he would know to what extent they have been handling commercial carrageen, the quantity that has been collected and purchased and the price that has been paid for it generally, and the financial benefit to the gatherers.

I should like to see the amount provided for housing much higher than it is. As Deputy Blowick has said, there is a vast amount of work as yet to be done in the matter of housing the people in the Gaeltacht. A very considerable amount has been done, no doubt, and has been well done. One must appreciate the efforts of these people to re-house themselves. Young men who have been in England and Scotland, perhaps as masons' helpers, have come home and, getting a grant, set about building a house for themselves and they have done very well. I suppose restrictions on timber and cement are holding up building and limit the amount of the grants to be provided this year because, having regard to the area, the amount is infinitesimal. I would particularly like the Minister, when replying, to go into the question of cost and to indicate, of the total amount of money spent, the amount that goes out in actual workers' wages.

Mr. Kilroy

I would like to impress upon the Minister the necessity for repairing the toy factory at Elly Bay that was damaged by fire. That factory was very useful and employed many people and it should be put into proper repair again. I would ask the Minister to endeavour to extend Gaeltacht industries to other parts of the Gaeltacht, such as Achill, Erris, Glenhest, Belderrig and the Tirenaur and Shramore area. There is a very big population there of Irish speakers who at present are emigrating to England because there is no employment for them at home. I would urge upon the Minister the importance of setting up industries in this area so as to keep the people at home. It is distressing to see the best Irish speakers in Ireland leaving the country and I am afraid that will continue unless employment is provided for them at home.

If the Irish homespun industry were started in that area it would be a great outlet and I do not see why it would not pay for itself. The people of some of this area took first prizes at the Gaeltacht Industries Fair in Dublin for their homespuns and there is no reason why they should not be able to produce cloth equal to that produced in any other part of the country. If the industry were extended to that area it would be of great benefit and would help in keeping the people at home.

The kitting industry also should be extended and knitting schools set up in Achill and Erris and all of that area. There will be very few Irish speakers left in the country within a short time, if something is not done. The people are leaving every year and they are losing the language. Housing, also, should be encouraged. There are very bad houses in some areas but I presume that as soon as materials become more freely available the Minister will carry out a housing scheme.

All the places that I have mentioned are Irish-speaking areas and something should be done there to encourage the people to stay at home. The carrageen and kelp industry also should be fostered. The fishing industry is completely neglected. Slips and piers require attention and nothing is being done in the matter.

Seán Ó Maoláin

Tar éis bheith ag éisteacht leis na díospóireachta ar an talamh. ar fhoraoiseacht agus ar Sheirbhísí na Gaeltachta, ní dóigh liom go mbeidh Aire Tailte nua againn sa bhliain atá le teacht. Bhí an díospóireacht ar an talamh go holc, an díospóireacht ar an bhforaoiseacht níos measa agus an díospóireacht seo go dona ar fad.

Thosnaigh an Teachta Ó Mongáin agus is é adúirt sé ná go bhfuilimid ag iarraídh fén Meastachán seo an méid céanna atá á chaitheamh againn ar spíodóireacht—tríocha píosa airgid. Ní fheadar céarbh é an Iudás a bhí aige. Dúirt an Teachta Blowick ná raibh an oiread airgid agus ba cheart á iarraidh againn sa Mheastachán seo. Bé an port céanna a bhí ag an Teachta MacMeanmain agus an Teachta MacPhaidín, mar is gnáth. B'é an rud céanna a bhí ar siúl ag an Teachta Blowick mar gheall ar an talamh. Ceapann daoine anseo go ndéanfadh airgead aon ghnó is maith linn. Ní dhéanfaidh sé. Má dhéanfadh an t-airgead an gnó, tá an t-airgead le fáil. Níor chuir an Roinn Airgeadais ná an tAire Airgeadais aon chose ar aon chor orainn—Coimisiún na Talmhan, an Roinn Foraoiseachta ná Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta—mar gheall ar airgead. Ach caithfimid an t-airgead a chaitheamh i slí cheart chun aon mhaitheas a dhéanamh. Más gá airgead chun aon rud a dhéanamh sa Ghaeltacht, tá sé le fáil, ach ní haon mhaitheas é a chaitheamh leis an ngaoith.

Is é rud atá uainn ná an t-airgead a chaitheamh chun go mbeidh slí bheatha cheart ag na daoine ann. Níl aoinne ag déanamh aon rud chun cruth nua a chur ar an nGaeltacht ach an Rialtas. Pé rud a deineadh nó a déanfar, is é an Rialtas atá á dhéanamh agus a bheidh á dhéanamh.

Bá mhaith liom a fháil ó na daoine a bhí ag caint anseo aon scéim ar aon chor a dhéanfadh maitheas don Ghaeltacht. Táimid ag iarradh é sin a dhéanamh i gach slí agus táimid ag ceapadh scéimeanna a dhéanfaidh maitheas ann ó bhliain go bliain. Is cuma cad dúirt an Teachta Ó Mongáin nó an Teachta Blowick, táimid ag dul ar aghaidh agus tá níos mó airgead ag lucht na Gaeltachta anois mar gheall ar an méid atá déanta sa Ghaeltacht ag an Rialtas ná mar a bhí riamh acu.

My mind is not sufficiently resilient to capture all the finer points——

Mícheál Óg Mac Pháidin

Bhí sé go maith.

Mr. Moylan

——in the beautiful Connacht Irish and in, to my own ears, the rather harsh Northern accent both in English and Irish. Of course, when I got a mixture of languages, accents and dialects both in English and Irish it would be very hard for me to grasp the meaning of the points made.

Mr. Donnellan

You contributed to that yourself, of course.

Mr. Moylan

Mr. McMenamin

There is no attack.

Mr. Moylan

——and when they talk about lands and when they bring in the Department of Agriculture surely I am entitled to make my case in my own fashion.

Deputy McMenamin spoke about kelp. It is 20 per cent. potash. I do not think that, as the basis for a new industry, there is anything to this question of kelp. Deputy Kilroy, I think, asked about the repairs at Elly Bay. The repairs at Elly Bay are going along as quickly as possible and I think, as far as I remember that this factory was burned twice. I hope that it will be fire-proof this time. The Deputy spoke about the small amount of money that was spent or is being spent—there is actually a turn-over of £480,000.

That is a rather substantial amount. Deputies who are interested in the Gaeltacht and in the Gaeltacht Services know that that sum has been enlarged and increased year by year as the work progressed. I think it is a far better thing if, acting in a beneficent way, we teach people to help themselves rather than spend money largely in relief. Any money that is needed to be spent in the Gaeltacht will be spent, and any ideas that Deputies may have for the benefit of the Gaeltacht we will find the money for them. Deputy Dockrell and others, who may criticise the Gaeltacht Services from a business point of view, can see that, as the result of the work of Gaeltacht Services, we are getting a really good cash-return from the money we spend, not to speak of the tremendous human betterment we are creating in the Gaeltacht.

Motion to refer back Estimate, by leave, withdrawn.

Vote put and agreed to.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Thursday, 22 May 1947

Committee on Finance. - Vote 54—Gaeltacht Services.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 May 1947