I move that leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1948, namely:—Vote No. 30 (Agricultural Produce Subsidies). The Estimate will be taken with the main Estimate and will be circulated about 4 o'clock.
Supplementary Estimate-Leave to Introduce.
This is the second Supplementary Estimate which has been introduced since the discussion on the main Estimate began. I take it that if we want to intervene again on the Supplementary Estimate during the discussion on the main Estimate it will be possible to do so?
This is a separate Estimate. It is not the main Agriculture Estimate.
It is the second Supplementary Estimate introduced since the discussion on the main Estimate began and those who spoke in the beginning of the discussion on the main Estimate may wish to say something later on in connection with the Supplementary Estimate.
Is it the intention of the Minister for Agriculture, in the event of this procedure being adopted, to intervene briefly for the purpose of explaining the purpose of the Supplementary Estimate?
If the Deputy would look up my opening statement, he will see that I have already done so.
I have carefully perused the opening statement of the Minister but I do not know the first thing about the Supplementary Estimate. It is still fluttering in the Minister's hands. So far as I know, it may be introduced to provide curling tongs to curl pigs' tails. So far as I can see, it is not referred to in the opening statement of the Minister.
What is your ruling on that, Sir? A number of Deputies have already spoken.
The House will be in Committee. I presume it is an increase on No. 30.
Can it be discussed separately on No. 30?
None of us knows what it is about.
You are not likely to reach No. 30 by 4 o'clock.
Nos. 29 and 30 are being discussed together by a decision of the House.
In the past we discussed those Estimates for subsidies separately.
The House has already agreed unanimously that they be taken together.
There was never any separate discussion.
Not on produce subsidies.
Agricultural produce subsidies. This is a new supplementary increase in the amount, I presume, but we will see it when we come to it.
Question put and agreed to.