asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the several amounts which are provided in the current year's Estimate for Public Works and Buildings for (i) the erection of the proposed memorial in Leinster Lawn, and (ii) for the proposed garden of remembrance in the Rotunda Gardens.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster Lawn Memorial.
(i) £12,000; (ii) nil.
I hope you have taken that in, Sir.
Arising out of the reply, would the Parliamentary Secretary consider reviewing any decisions already taken with regard to the erection of the Leinster Lawn memorial so that the memory of all those who gave their lives to break the connection with England may be commemorated? Will he further have regard to the fact that there are many people in the country who are not actuated by a desire to perpetuate bitterness, as is the Party opposite, but who view this as a national matter? For that reason, would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is proper that such a memorial should be erected.
You can spend the rest of your life on it.
The hospital has been granted the temporary use of the site. It is a condition of this temporary letting that they will give up possession at any time it is demanded.
Tell that to the marines.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary ask Deputy Lehane to address his question to his colleague, the Minister for Health?
One Clann has let the other down.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that no more appropriate memorial to the men who gave their lives for the workers of this country could be erected than a hospital or clinic for the children of the workers?
That is gross misrepresentation.
Are there any other sites in the City of Dublin besides the Rotunda Gardens which could be used for such a purpose?
All you are concerned with is instigating and maintaining bitterness.
Who is talking about bitterness?
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (i) the date on which it was decided by the present Government to proceed with the erection of a cenotaph in Leinster Lawn; (ii) the date on which instructions were given to prepare plans for the cenotaph; (iii) the date on which the plan now being given effect to was approved; (iv) the manner in which the design for the cenotaph was selected and the person or persons who selected the design; (v) the nature of the decision; (vi) the estimated cost of executing the designs; (vii) the date on which the work of execution began; (viii) how the moneys to give effect to the design are being provided; (ix) whether the cost of executing the work will be regarded by him as a capital expense to be met by borrowing or whether it will be defrayed out of revenue; (x) the total amount expended to date on the work, including the expenditure on the preparation of the design, the working drawings and all other expenses, and (xi) the date on which it is anticipated that the work will be completed.
A provision of £2,500 was included in the Vote for Public Works and Buildings for 1948-49 for the erection of a cenotaph on Leinster Lawn. Instructions were given on the 7th May, 1948, by the present Government to proceed with the work. A sketch design, prepared by the principal architect to the Commissioners of Public Works, was approved by the Government on the 26th July, 1948, and the working drawings on the 2nd March, 1949. The design is in the form of an obelisk, including portrait plaques. The work commenced on the 23rd September, 1949, and is due for completion in August, 1950. The cost, estimated at £20,000, will be met out of the Vote for Public Works and Buildings, and charged to revenue. Expenditure to date is approximately £6,700. This does not include any charge in respect of salaries of the architectural staff of the Office of Public Works, who prepared the design, working drawings and specifications. It is not the practice to apportion such charges against the individual works undertaken.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to state the names of the persons to whom the plaques are to be erected?
If the Deputy puts down a question to that effect, I shall answer it.
There is shocking ignorance, everywhere.