Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 May 1950

Vol. 121 No. 3

Committee on Finance. - Vote 49—Gaeltacht Services.

I move:—

That a sum not exceeding £76,740 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1951, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Gaeltacht Services, including Housing Grants and the purchase and sale of Homespuns.

The Estimate for Gaeltacht Services shows a net increase of £50,733 over the sum provided for the previous year, 1949-50.

The activities of the Gaeltacht Services Division cover rural industries, marine industries and the administration of the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts as well as certain miscellaneous services.

Provision for the rural industries is made under the D sub-heads of the Vote, the marine industries under the E sub-heads and housing under the H sub-heads, while sub-head G provides for the miscellaneous services. Of the other sub-heads of the Vote, A, B and C provide for the expenses of administration and sub-head F for the expenses of Gaeltarra Éireann—the Central Marketing Depot. Receipts, which in the main represent the proceeds of the sale of the products of the various industries, are dealt with under sub-head I.

The sub-heads which provide for administration show little variation from last year's provision—the increases in the salary sub-heads A and F (1) being due to the normal salary increments of the members of the staff.

The installation of its own telephone exchange in the division has caused an increase of £680 in sub-head C.

The D sub-heads for rural industries cover provision for the salaries and travelling expenses of technical staff and provision for machinery, materials and other manufacturing expenses. The purchase of machinery required for the spinning and knitwear industries is provided for under sub-head D (5), while machinery for the toy-making industry is provided for under sub-head D (8) (4). There is provision this year for the purchase of the second pair of spinning mules required to complete the spinning plant. Provision is also being made for the purchase of machinery in connection with the reorganisation and development of the knitwear industry. The expenditure provided for machinery for the toy industry relates in the main to machinery for the manufacture of dolls' heads and body parts which until now had to be purchased.

Manufacturing materials for the tweed, embroidery and knitwear industries are provided for under sub-heads D (6) and D (9) while manufacturing materials for the toy industry are purchased under sub-head D (8). Taking the sub-heads D (6) and D (9) together the provision now being made is approximately the same as the provision last year. Provision for the manufacturing materials for the toy industry shows an increase of £14,000. This industry is showing good progress and it is, therefore, necessary to provide more materials for it.

The sub-heads D (10) and D (12) concern homespuns and leaden models respectively and in each case only a token provision is made for the present year.

The position as regards the homespun industry has not changed materially during the last year. Strenuous efforts have been and are being made to find a market for the large stocks which we hold. Our efforts have been successful only to a small extent but we intend to keep on trying. As things are at present I could not recommend the provision of money to purchase further stocks of homespuns. Should the demand for the material quicken during the coming year I shall be prepared to reconsider the position.

Leaden models have lost favour in the market since the close of the war but this was not unanticipated and Gaeltacht services took the precaution of developing other types of toys which were in greater demand on the market, such as the manufacture of dolls' heads and body parts.

Sub-head E (3) provides for the purchase of seaweed. In the main, the provision in the Estimate relates to the purchase of sea-rods for a company in which the State holds a majority interest, a token provision only having been made for the purchase of kelp and other seaweeds. Deputies will be pleased to hear that, due in no small measure to the passing of the Alginate Industries Act, I found it possible to increase the price of sea-rods to £4 10s. per ton which, it must be agreed, is a very steep advance on the original price of £3 per ton. I am glad to state that the prospects for the sea-rod industry seem to be particularly bright. The tonnage gathered last year was approximately 3,250 tons and we aim to more than double that tonnage as soon as possible. This is becoming a very valuable industry and is proving a wonderful asset to many people along the coast whose normal means of livelihood, a little fishing and some farming, is precarious because it is largely at the mercy of the weather.

The provision for advertising and publicity under sub-head F (2) shows a decrease of £2,000 since the experience of last year has shown that a lesser provision would be sufficient to enable us to undertake advertising and publicity to the extent required.

The main difference shown in the sub-head for housing relates to an increase of £29,150 in the sum provided for housing grants. On the enactment of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act, 1949, in March of last year housing activities were greatly intensified and it is estimated that payments in respect of work under those Acts will amount to £40,000 in the coming year.

Provision is made under sub-head I for the Appropriations-in-Aid which it is estimated will come to hand. The gross amount of receipts is estimated at £282,194 as compared with last year's estimate of approximately £330,011 when the actual figures will amount to approximately £229,000. The gross estimate for receipts from rural industries at £247,500 shows a decrease of £46,200 but the actual figures for last year amounted to approximately £210,000. It is estimated that there will be paid out of the gross receipts from rural industries £80,585 in workers' wages and agents' commission which would leave net receipts of £166,915. The net receipts shown in the Estimate, however, amount only to £131,915 due to an arrangement by which net receipts over and above that amount would be accounted for as extra Exchequer receipts.

For some time past our main rural industries have had to contend with various manufacturing and marketing difficulties of which the following may be mentioned: (1) Unsettled conditions of trade both in the home and export markets; (2) an abnormal movement of trained workers from the Gaeltacht areas, and (3) delays in the delivery of the materials required to produce the goods sought for by traders. I am glad to be able to state that the home and export markets for the products of these rural industries show a definite improvement, that new trainees show a disposition to continue in the local industries and that orders for manufacturing materials are being placed sufficiently far in advance to ensure continuity of employment.

Is fada dhúinn ag cur síos ar an nGaeltacht agus ar cad is ceart a dhéanamh chun saol na ndaoine a chónaíonn inti d'fheabhsú agus ní féidir a rá go bhfuil éirithe linn aon rud mór a dhéanamh fós chun feabhas a chur ar chúrsaí na Gaeltachta. Tá feabhsú na Gaeltachta fite fuaite le haibheochaint na Gaeilge agus dá bhrí sin is cheart dúinn suim mhór a chur sa Meastachán a cuirtear fé bhráid na Dála gach bliain i gcóir Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta mar tugann sé méar an eolais dúinn i dtaobh imeachta na Gaeltachta, na tionscail atá curtha ar bun inti agus an tslí'na bhfuil ag éirí leis na tionscail sin ó bhliain go bliain.

Is é an rud is mó atá ag cur as don Ghaeltacht fé láthair ná an imirce. Tá a fhios agam nach inniu ná inné a thosnoigh sé sin, ach is ró-bhaol liom gur ag dul i méid atá sé fé láthair agus muna gcuirtear coise leis ní fada go mbeidh an Ghaeltacht bánaithe ar fad agus go mbeidh tobar dúchais na Gaeilge dulta i ndísc. Má thagann an droch-lá san orainn beidh díobháil mhór déanta. Béidh sé fuar againn a bheith ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge d'aibheochaint má bhíonn lucht a labhartha bailithe leo as an nGaeltacht agus an sean-chultúr imithe leo chomh maith.

Chualamar ana-chaint go léir tamall ó shoin ó chuid de na daoine atá anois ag cabhrú leis an Rialtas seo mar gheall ar an imirce sin. Thugadar le tuiscint go ndéanfaidís na huirc is na hairc chun cosc a chur leis an imirce, ach is amhlaidh atá glachta anois acu leis an imirce, amhail is dá mba rud nádúrtha é. Nuair a bhí an Teachta Micheál Óg Mac Pháidín ag caint annseo anuraidh ar Mheastachán na Gaeltachta, dúirt sé gurb é a bharúil nár chóir dúinn bheith ag olagón mar gheall ar an imirce seo mar gur rud nádurtha é go bhfuil an imirce ina bhfuil ag muinntir na Gaeltachta. Seo iad go cruinn na focail adúirt sé, col. 223, Iml. 115.

"Dúradh móran faoin imirce sa díospóireacht seo ach is beag a thuigeas an scéal i gceart. Tá an imirce san fhuil ag an Ghael. Síleann cuid de na daoine nach bhfuil aon leigheas ar an scéal ach saothrú agus saibhreas agus soilse geala na gcathrach a thabhairt isteach sa Ghaeltacht. Ní chuirfeadh sin féin stad ar an imirce. Tá intinn mhíshuaimhneach ag an aos óg agus níl siad sásta le saol na tuaithe; caithfidh siad an domhan mór a fheiceál. Tá an craolachán, na scannáin, an páipéar nuaíochta anois ar fud na Gaeltachta ag cur ár ndaoine óga faoi dhraíocht agus á mealladh ar shiúl i gcéin uainn. Is doiligh leigheas a fháil ar an aicid sin. Chím féin fir agus cailíní óga ag imeacht a bhfuil caoi mhaith saothruithe acu sa bhaile, a muintir ina suí go te, ach buaileann an steall iad agus caithfidh siad imeacht go bhfeicesiad saol na gcathrach agus iontais an domhain."

Más í sin an chuspóir atá ag an Rialtas agus ag an Aire chomh maith leis an Teachta Mac Pháidín tá atharach scéil ar fad againn seachas an port a bhíodh ar siúl acu nuair a bhí Rialtas Fianna Fáil in oifig. Rud gránna, rud millteannach agus rud uathbhásach ab ea an imirce an uair sin agus bhí milleán mór le cur ar an Rialtas dá dheascaibh, ach anois is rud nádúrtha an imirce. Má fhágann na fir óga an Ghaeltacht fé láthair is ag lorg slí bheatha dóibh féin atáid nó ag dul amach chun radharcanna an domhain d'fheiscint agus má fhágann na cailíní is le mian pósta a fhágaid, agus cé bheadh ina dhiaidh orthu mar gheall air. Más í sin an intinn atá ag an Rialtas i dtaobh na Gaeltachta réiteofar an cheist go breá bog dóibh. Tiocfaidh an lá nuair a bheidh an Ghaeltacht bánaithe agus nuair ná beidh gá le tionscail ná le costas mar gheall uirthi, Nuair a thiocfaidh an lá san is féidir deireadh a chur le Seirbhísí na Gaeltacht agus ní bheidh gá le Meastachán den tsórt seo beag feasta ag na fearaibh thar lear, agus beidh na cailíní pósta imeasc stróinséirí agus ní beidh a gcúram ar aon Rialtas anseo a thuilleadh.

Tá méadú beag ar an Meastachán seo thar anuraidh ach ní mór le rá é. Nuair a bhí an Meastachán fé dhíospóireacht anuraidh do bhí Teachtaí a chuireann suim i gcúrsaí na Gaeltachta ag gearán i dtaobh an laghduithe sa Mheastachán ón mbliain roimhe sin. Ach do tháinig an tAire os comhair na Dála arís le meastachán breise le haghaidh tithe sa Ghaeltacht. Níl a fhios agam ar caitheadh an méid airgid a bhí sa Mheastachán ar thithe nua agus ar sheana-thithe nua do dheisiú. Ní mór a bhí sa Mheastachán breise, £15,000 ach dá laghad é, táim in amhras ar caitheadh é. Do chuireas ceist ar an Aire cúpla mí ó shoin i dtaobh an méid tithe sa Ghaeltacht a tógadh agus a deisíodh ó cuireadh Acht na dTithe sa Ghaeltacht i bhfeidhm breis is bliain ó shoin agus ní fhéadfadh éinne a bheith sásta leis an bhfreagra a thug an tAire uaidh. Ní raibh le cur san áireamh ag an Aire ach fíor-bheagán. Mheasamar go léir ruair a bhí an tAcht sin á rith tríd an Oireachtas go raibh fuadar faobhrach faoin Aire chun tithe a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltachta ach is baolach nach mar sin atá. Ní heol dom aon tslí is fearr chun an saol d'fheabhsú do muintir na Gaeltachta ná tithe maithe a thabhairt dóibh. Do luigh Coimisiún na Gaeltachta ar an bpointe sin nuair a bhíodar ag cur is ag cúiteamh i dtaobh cad iad na scéimeanna ab fhearr chun saol na Gaeltachta d'fheabhsú. Ba mhaith liom a fáil amach ón Aire dá bhrí sin, cad é fáth na moille maidir le tógaint agus deisiú tithe faoin Acht nua.

Maidir le tionscal an bhréidin agus margadh d'fháil dó ní ró-dhóchasach a bhí an tAire anuraidh nuair a bhí sé ag cur síos ar an gceist sin. Dúirt sé an uair sin go raibh stór mór den éadach san gan díol ag Gaeltarra Éireann. Is oth liom ná fuil scéal níos fearr le hinnsint aige anois. Dá dteipeidh ar an dtionscal san ba mhór an buille é do mhuintir Thír Chonaill mar is acusan is mó a bhíonn an tionscal ar siúl. Dúirt an tAire anuraidh go raibh tréan-iarracht á dhéanamh ag Gaeltearra Éireann ar mhargadh d'fháil don bhréidín sin ins na Stáit Aontaithe. Dá éiríodh leis an iarracht san ba mhór an tairbhe é. Ní hamháin go dtabharfadh sé misneach do mhuintir Thír Chonaill ach thabhairfaidh sé dolaerí dhúinn atá de dhí orainn sa tsaol atá ann faoi láthair.

Is maith liom go bhfuil ag éirí le tionscal na mbréagán agus go bhfuil margadh le fáil dóibh ní hamháin sa tír seo ach go bhfuil ceannach orthu thar lear chomh maith. Níl a fhios agam an mbeadh margadh le fáil dona thuilleadh breagán thar an méid a thagann ó na tionscail atá againn. Dá mbeadh, is é mo thuairim gur cheart dúinn a thuille de na tionscail sin a chur ar bun in áiteanna eile sa Ghaeltacht. Deirtear liom go bhfuil na breagáin sin a déantar sa Ghaeltacht chomh maisiúil is a geobhfaí in aon tír eile.

Is cosúil ná fuil aon cheannach ar cheilp anois gur fiú trácht air agus is dócha gur mar sin a bheidh an scéal go mbeidh an chéad chógadh eile againn. Idir na cógaí titeann an toín as margadh na ceilpe nuair a thagann gnáth-ábhair leasuithe na talún ar an margadh. Níl a fhíos agam an bhfuil aon leigheas ar an scéal sin.

Having spoken for that length of time in Irish, there are a few observations I should like to make in English, although I do not like the idea of introducing the English language into a debate of this kind. The Minister in his opening statement referred to the question of housing in the Gaeltacht and suggested that there was an intensification of the housing programme in the Gaeltacht. I do not know what justification there is for that statement because I remember putting down a question to the Minister on the 15th March last to inquire what progress was being made with housing in the Gaeltacht. I should like to give the House the benefit of the information I received. I should mention that the Gaeltacht Housing Act, 1949, was finally passed through the Oireachtas on 3rd March, 1949. There was a time lag between the general Housing Act of 1948 and that Act. I asked the Minister "if he will state the number of applications received in his Department under the Housing Gaeltacht (Amendment) Act, 1949, for (a) new houses; (b) reconstruction, and the number of grants which have been paid in both categories." The Minister's answer was:—"The numbers are (a) 658; (b) 438." That is, applications had been received for 658 grants for new houses and 438 grants for reconstruction. The reference is column 1894, Volume 119, No. 13. The Minister also said that final instalments on completion of work were paid in 36 cases of grants for new houses and 11 cases of grants for reconstruction. That appears to me to be very slow progress in the matter of housing in the Gaeltacht.

How many are in the course of erection?

The Gaeltacht Housing Act, 1949, finally passed through the Oireachtas on 3rd March, 1949 and this question was asked on 15th March of this year, more than 12 months afterwards. Still, according to these figures only in 36 cases were final payments made for grants for new houses.

How many were completed?

These are the figures and the Minister can get them as well as I can. I was anxious to find out what progress, if any, was being made under this new Gaeltacht Housing Act.

Why do they not leave the houses?

Deputy Rooney does not know very much about the Gaeltacht. I desire to read these figures again lest Deputies may have forgotten the number of applications that came in and just to show that the people of the Gaeltacht are very much alive to their requirements. They made 658 applications for grants for new houses and 438 applications for reconstruction grants. In the case of new houses, only 36 grants had been finally paid and in the case of reconstruction only 11, so that when the Minister tells us about this great advance——

Were they completed?

I said the final instalments of payments were made in these cases. I am just giving the exact figures as I got them.

I am not defending the delay. How many houses were completed?

The number I have given.

How many are under construction?

Apparently the House does not understand the slowness of the Minister's Department in grappling with housing in the Gaeltacht. I said that 658 applications had been received for grants for new houses and 438 for grants for reconstruction. In the case of new houses, only 36 applications had been finally disposed of, in other words, final instalments had been paid, and in the case of reconstruction only 11.

How many of these completed their houses?

That number. The figures are there for anybody to get. When the Minister mentioned the great intensification of house building in the Gaeltacht I was obliged to look up the figures because I remembered having put a question of this kind to the Minister during the month of March.

Was it not lucky you did?

It was very lucky because it shows we are watching the interests of the people in the Gaeltacht. I regard this question of housing as very important.

I remember that when the Gaeltacht Commission was set up in 1925 or 1926 to examine the problems of the Gaeltacht and find out the best way in which the social and economic life of the people in the Gaeltacht could be improved, the point that got most prominence in the report of that commission was this question of housing. The members of the commission realised the importance of building good houses for the people in the Gaeltacht so as to brighten their lives and to give them, if possible, the same amenities that are available to people who live in other parts of the country. So much for housing.

I notice in the Estimate a decrease of £8,007 for materials. I wonder would the Minister explain to us, when replying, what is the cause of that decrease. Is it possible to get materials more cheaply now than it was, say, last year or the year before for the Gaeltacht industries, or, if not, is there to be a diminution in the activities connected with those industries?

I am very glad to know that the toy industry is progressing well and that there is a demand for its products. I also understand that the toys which are turned out in the Gaeltacht can be compared with those produced in any other country, and maybe they are better.

They are.

It is very important to know that the products of our toy industry in the Gaeltacht are better than those produced in any other country, and also that there is a market for these toys not merely in this country but also, I understand, outside the country. I am just wondering whether it would not be possible to expand that industry more. After all, the toy industry is confined to a few places in the Gaeltacht. As well as I remember, there are one or two in Donegal, one at Erris in Mayo, and there is one at Spiddal in Galway. From what I can gather, the toy industry in Spiddal has recently fallen on evil days.

The leaden type of toy has fallen on evil days, but we are replacing it with a type for which there is a great demand at the moment.

I am glad to hear that. As regards the industrialisation of the Gaeltacht, I wonder could we do a bit more in that direction? I remember, when we were debating the setting up of the Industrial Authority here, I asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if that body had got any instructions from the Minister or the Government to turn their attention to the Gaeltacht with a view to establishing some suitable industries there, and his answer was in the affirmative. I would like to know from the Minister for Lands whether there have been any developments in that way since, or if any attempt has been made, with the aid and advice of the Industrial Authority, to establish any more industries in the Gaeltacht.

We had much discussion here about the glass-house or tomato industry which appeared to us to be a suitable industry for the Gaeltacht but, unfortunately, the Minister for Agriculture was inclined to throw cold water on it. As well as I can recollect, he called it an exotic industry, and while he said he was prepared to give it whatever assistance was necessary, still at the same time one could gather from his general attitude that he was not very much in sympathy with the project. I suggest to the Minister for Lands that this tomato industry is one that should be taken care of by Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta. It should be, I think, peculiarly within their province. If they did that, and if they explored the possibilities of it, it would not be subject to the whims and caprices of any Minister who would not be, maybe, in sympathy with the project.

Another industry which I have often thought might be cultivated or fostered in the Gaeltacht is the early potato industry. I wonder has the Minister given any consideration to that. I am certain that there are certain spots in the southern Gaeltacht, especially Kerry, where the cultivation of early potatoes would be a success if it were undertaken by Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta. I think I read in the newspapers quite recently that one individual in South Kerry Breac-Ghaeltacht entirely on his ceeded in producing early potatoes this year already and was sending them here to Dublin to compete with the traditional early potato growers from Rush and Swords. I imagine that if one individual could do that in the Kerry breac Gaeltacht entirely on his own, without any help from the State or from any other source, that this is an industry which should be carefully considered by the sub-Department concerned, namely, Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta. I put that suggestion now before the Minister for all it is worth. I think there are possibilities there, and that they should be explored.

I see there is a small reduction in the amount that is being made available for the kelp industry. Is it a fact that there is no future for the kelp industry?

I would not say that, but it has fallen on evil days at the moment.

I am afraid the position is that it is only when we have a war that the kelp industry thrives in this country——

It appears so.

——and that in between wars there is no market for it.

It would not do to start a war for the sake of improving the kelp industry.

The Minister referred to the alginate industry and I am glad to know that that industry is making progress. I think he said that the price which was being paid for the sea rods which go to make alginate acid is £4 10s. 0d. per ton.

That is right.

That appears to be a fairly satisfactory price. I should like to know from the Minister in what parts of the Gaeltacht the industry is being carried on and in how many places.

In Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Clare principally.

What about Kerry?

It depends on the coast.

I know that. I imagine there are places around the coast of Kerry where there would be suitable sea rods for that industry.

If there are, we want them.

I was interested to hear the Minister, when replying to the debate on forestry, refer to the Gaeltacht because as a rule people do not associate afforestation with the Gaeltacht.

If the Deputy wants the actual districts, sea rods are gathered at:—County Donegal: Rosguill, Gortahork, Fanad, Mallin, Downings Bay, Tory Island, Burtonport, Magheraroarty, Gweedore, Dungloe, Glencolumbkill, Bloody Foreland, Inishboffin, Meenaclody. County Mayo: Roonagh, Elly Bay, Carrowteigue, Doohoma, Ballycastle. County Sligo: Pullaheeney, Mullaghmore. County Galway: Renvyle, Bunowen, Cleggan, Carna, Inishmore, Inisheer, Lettermullen, Carraroe. County Clare: Quilty, Doonbeg, Liscannor, Loop Head. That covers Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Clare. If there are rods in any other area being thrown up by the sea, we want them.

I think it should be advertised better than it has been, because I am sure there are people living along the coast of Kerry and Cork who do not know a thing about this industry and in these parts they generally know what is going on in the country. I was on the subject of forestry. It would be a good thing, no doubt, if afforestation could be pushed in the Gaeltacht, but we are told that the barren places in the Gaeltacht do not lend themselves to afforestation. I do not know what the Minister's view is on that, but he told us, when replying to the debate on forestry, that they were paying attention to certain places in the Gaeltacht with a view to growing trees there. I am glad to hear that and to know that it can be done in certain parts of the Gaeltacht. After all, afforestation has been carried on in places in Scotland which are similar to the Gaeltacht here. The Minister went to Scotland recently and I am sure he found out for himself what the position is there and in what circumstances they are able to grow trees in the Highlands of Scotland and elsewhere.

There is another matter I should like to bring to the attention of the Minister and that is the question of migration. This migration problem is not exactly within the province of Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta, but still, as it affects the Gaeltacht, I suppose a few words would not be out of place. There are certain holdings on the fringe of the Gaeltacht in Kerry and, I suppose, elsewhere on which the Land Commission have their eye with a view to rearrangement. While I consider that it is a good policy to acquire holdings adjacent to the Gaeltacht with a view to relieving conges tion there, I find it difficult to understand the delay on the part of the Land Commission in coming to a decision as to whether and when these holdings will be taken over. It has a bearing on the activities of Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta in this way, that applications for grants for new houses are being held up until such time as the Land Commission will come to a decision as to whether they will take over the holdings in the neighbourhood or not. In other words, the consideration of the applications is postponed until the rearrangement scheme or schemes will have been carried out. I know that it is a couple of years anyway since some people living on the fringe of the Gaeltacht or in the Gaeltacht itself offered their holdings to the Land Commission for the purpose of rearrangement and still they find themselves in the position that the holdings have not been taken over.

How long ago is that?

A couple of years. I ask the Minister to look into that, because the delay has a double effect. It has the effect of preventing a rearrangement scheme from being carried out and, secondly, it also has the effect of preventing people from getting housing grants to which they would otherwise be entitled under the Gaeltacht Housing Acts. That is a point I would like the Minister to consider. I can produce documents which I have in my possession to prove that this problem is there. I have already made representations to the Land Commission about it.

That is all I have to say concerning the problems of the Gaeltacht. I shall wind up by saying this, that I consider the sum of £176,740 rather inadequate for the industrialisation and the improvement of the Gaeltacht. Considering the amount of money we are going to spend in other directions all over the whole field of Government activity, I consider that that is a very small sum. If we are in earnest about tackling the problems of the Gaeltacht and improving the lot of the people who live there so that they can eke out a livelihood for themselves and so preserve the Irish language, we should provide a little more money than that. The Gaeltacht is the repository of Irish language and Irish culture and it should be the concern of every one of us, no matter to what Party we belong, to do all we can to make sure that the people who now live there will not be compelled to go to foreign countries to earn a livelihood.

I am afraid the harm is done.

Already I have referred to a statement made in Irish by one of the Deputies opposite last year. When he spoke about young men going to see the sights abroad and young girls going to look for husbands outside the Gaeltacht, he sounded a note of despair in his speech. I wonder if what was stated by the Deputy represents the view held by the Minister and the Government.

Bagnáthac liom beagán a rá gach bliain ar an Meastachán seo ach dúradh oiread cainte air cheana féin gur doiligh dadaidh úr a rá air anois. Is iomaidh focal a canadh ar an Ghaeltacht le fiche bliain. Ba bhreá na chuspóir a chuir muid romhainn fá scéim tárrthala do na ceanntair bhochta seo, ach i ndiaidh iomlán na cainte agus iomlán ár saothair is mór m'eagla gur mó atáimid ag dul ar geúl ná atáimid ag dul chun tosaigh.

Rinne Coimisiún na Gaeltachta obair mhór mhaith nuair a dhírigh siad inntinn an phobail ar stad na Gaeltachta sé bliana is fiche ó shoin. Rinne gach Rialtas a bhí againn ó shoin iarraidh mhór ar mholtaí an Coimisiúin sin a chur i ngníomh, ach ní go maith d'éirigh leo. Shíl muid go dtiocfadh linn iomlán na tíre a Ghaelú amach ón Ghaeltacht ach in áit sin is í an Ghaeltacht a chumhanglaigh agus a chríon in aghaidh na bliana. Tá an Ghaeltacht ag sleamhnú uainn gan mhothú. Ó lá go lá tá an sean-bhunadh ag imeacht chun na huaighe agus an t-aos óg ag imeacht uainn thar sáile, nó isteach sna cathracha. Níl luibh nó léigheas in aghaidh an bháis ach ba chóir go mbeadh leigheas éiginteach againn ar an imirce. Níl na tionnscail atá againn faoi Sheirbhísí na Gaeltachta—maith agus eile mar tá siad—innibh an aicíd seo a leigheas. Níl níos mó ná deichniúr as an chéad ag obair sa Ghaeltacht faoi stiúradh na Fó-roinne seo. Caithfear an líon a scaipeadh amach níos leithne sna ceanntair bhochta seo agus níos mó den óige a chruinniú chucu.

Táimid ag fanacht go foighdeach le cuntas ó Choimisiún na hImirce agus a mbarúil d'fháil ar an scéal seo. Admhaím féin go bhfuil cathuithe nó draíocht éigin ar shaol agus soilse geal na geathrach a mheallas an óige uainn. Caithfidh an t-aos óg an domhan mhór a fheiceáil, bíodh siad thíos nó thuas leis. Chluin siad an cogar fan obair ghlan éadrom, fan pháighe mhór, fan lá ghairid, fan cheol fa na pictiúirí agus gach catheamh aimsire. Agus an té a fuair anas agus cruatan i dtús a shaoil, agus nuair nach bhfuil slí bheatha óiriúnach le fáil acu sa bhaile, ní thig a bheith ag éagaoin orthu má imíonn siad ar thóir oibre go tír éigin eile.

Níor chóir go mbeadh seo amhlaidh sa Ghaeltacht. Chuala mé Éireannaigh céimiúla a rá gurb í an Ghaeltacht an talamh is luachmhaire sa tír mar gurb ann atá bun agus dubhshraith ár náisiúntachta: teanga nósaí agus tréithre Gael. Ach más ea, ní thig an bharúil sin leis an Meastacháin sin atá romhainn anseo anois. Cluintear go minic anois fa sé contae an tuaisoirt a goideadh uainn, ach níl eagla ar bith orm nach bhfuightear ar ais iad. Ba mhór an chaill don tír mura bhfuigheadh ach nach aisdeach nach léir dúinn gur mhó go mór an chaill don tír sé condae na Gaeltachta a umhlú síos do Bhéarla agus tréithre Gall. Gheofar ar ais le linn ama talamh agus maoin ar sinnsir i gCúige Uladh, ach má chailltear anam agus spiorad ár sinnsir atá againn sa Ghaeltacht ní bhfuightear ar ais og deo iad. Ba mhaith liom fios d'fháil ar mhol Coimisiún na hImirce aon leigheas ar aicíd seo na himirce. Níl amhras nach bhfuil an Rialtas atá againn anois toilteanach agus ar lorg comhairle a dhéanamh maith don Ghaeltacht. Is é mo bharúil féin go gcaithfear comh-cheangladh níos fearr a bheith againn fa obair na Gaeltachta ó gach Roinn den Rialtas. Ba cheart iad uilig a bheith ag tarraingt ar aon-téid i gcúrsaí Oideachas, Talmhaíochta, Ceardaíochta, Iascaireachta, Foraoiseachta, Tionscal agus mar sin. Ní leor an fho-Roinn seo, Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta, gan cuidiú ó na Ranna eile. Cuid de pholasaí náisiúnta na tíre tárrthail na Gaeltachta agus tá a chúram féin ar gach Roinn den Rialtas san obair seo.

Is feasach dúinn go léir anois gur cuireadh barráiocht de na tionscail atá againn ar bun sna cathracha móra. Beidh tuilleadh tionscal a dhitheamhail agus bíodh siad seo amuigh sa tír, agus san socrú seo. Is é dualgas an Rialtais comhthrom na féinne a thabhairt don Ghaeltacht, bíodh siad thíos nó thuas leis. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil Bord na dTionnscal againn anois le comhairle a thabhairt don Rialtas fa thionscail óiriúnacha a chur ar bun ar fud na tíre. Tá súil agam go bhfuil an Bord seo ag déanamh staidéar cruinn ar an chaoi is fearr cuidiú le muinntir na gceanntar bocht seo. Tá sompla maith rompu in obair Bhoird na gCeanntair gComhang.

I dTír Chonaill ba é tionnscal na holla a bhí-ag muinntir na Gaeltachta mar príomh-thionnscal ariamh anall, sin agus an t-iascaireacht. Chuidigh an fho-Roinn go maith le tionscal na holla—an fhíodóireacht agus an chniotáil. Tá súil agam go leanfar do na tionscail seo. Ba mhaith liom go mbeadh ranganna do fhíodóirí óga againn i dTír Chonaill. D'imthig mórán fíodóirí oilte uainn nuair nach raibh obair le fáil acu, ach tá athrú ar an scéal anois agus tá éileamh arís an obair an fhíodóra. Ba cheart go mbeadh obair sheasmach ag fíodóirí na Gaeltachta dá bhfuigheadh siad a gceart. Níl aon chiall leis an méid éadaigh atá ag teacht isteach chun na tíre seo ó Shasain agus thíortha eile. Gheibh lucht na siopaí proifid níos mó ar na hearraí seo ná earraí ár dtíre féin agus tá a shliocht orthu: díoltar níos mó acu. Fagann seo ar mbunadh féin díomhaoin gan obair. Níl ach trí mhilliún daoine sa tír seo agus tá snas le céad go leith milliún daoine san Státa Aontuithe. Gheibh Sasan cead an Roinn éadaí chéanna a chur isteach i ngach tír acú seo. Cruthaíonn seo go bhfuil gnaithe éadaigh na hÉireann faoi smacht ag an tSasanach atá ag carnadh isteach an méid a thig leis ar an tír bheag seo. Tá na Stataí Aontaite níos faicheallaí. Mholfainn don Aire an chúis seo a phlé leis an Roinn Tionscail agus Trachtála mar mhaithe le tionscail na Ghaeltachta. Mholfhainn don Roinn tuilleadh tithe a thógáil do na hoibreannaí ag monarchain Chill Chartha. Tá bun mhaith ar an tionnscal annsin anois. Agus bheadh na tithe dhítheamhail sa chaoi go dtiocfadh leis na fíodóirí pósadh agus fanacht i mbun a gceirde. Cluinim go bhfuil Bord na nOibreach ar tí tús a chur ar an stór olla don mhonarchain. Is maith seo nó tá mór-riachtanas leis san am i láthair.

Is maith liom go bhfuil cuid mhór tithe le tógáil sa Ghaeltacht faoi an Acht deireannach. Níl leigheas níos fearr ar an imirce ná tithe úra seasctara sa Ghaeltacht agus tá súil agam go leanfar den obair seo.

Nuair a bhí Rialtas Fianna Fáil i réim, ba ghnáthach linn, nuair a bhí an Meastachán seo á thabhairt isteach, éisteacht le Aire nó Runaí Parlaiminte go raibh ina chumas an Meastachán mar sin a bhain go dlúth leis an nGaeltacht. Gan aon locht d'fhágháilt ag an Aire atá i bhfeighil na hoibre fé lathair, sílim gur céim mór ar gcúl é nach féidir leanúint leis an nós sin feasta.

Chomh fada agus atá sé le rá go bhfuil £50,000 de bhreis sa Vóta seo i mbliana, caithfimid a bheith buíoch. Bhíomar ag gearáin anuraidh, ní gan chúis, de bhrí gur gearradh síos an méid a bhí le haghaidh Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta, don obair a bhí ar siúl ag an bhfo-Roinn seo.

D'fhéadfadh duine a bheith ag caint go ceann i bhfad mar gheall ar cheist seo na Gaeltachta agus mar gheall ar an obair atá ar siúl faoin bhfo-Roinn seo don Ghaeltacht. An chuid is mó a bheadh le rá—agam-sa ar chor ar bith—ní bhainfeadh sé go dlúth leis an Vóta seo in aon chor. Tá a lán le déanamh sar a mbeidh an Ghaeltacht slán agus táimid ag brath ar na ceanntracha sin chun an Ghaeilge a choimeád beo agus í a leathnú ar fud na tíre ón Gaeltacht. Chomh fada agus is féidir liomsa a dhéanamh amach, bhí an teanga go beo, bríomhar sna ceantracha is Gaeltacht, go mór mhór san Iarthar agus sa Tuaisceart. Ní ag dul i laigead a bhí an scéal leis na scéimeanna a cuireadh ar bun leis na blianta faoin Rialtas deireannach, go mór mhór chun neartú leis an nGaeilge agus labhairt na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Sílim gur cuidiú an deontas £5, go mór mhór le buanú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, agus go mba scéim anmhaith é san, ach mar is éol duinn go léir is é an rud is mó atá in easnamh ar an nGaeltacht ná obair leanúnach, buan-obair do na daoine, idir óg agus meán-aosta, leis an bpobal a choiméad ann. Bhuail an Rialtas seo buille tubaisteach ar a lán ceantar sa nGaeltacht go lua tar éis dóibh teacht i gcumhacht nuair a chuireadar deireadh le scéim na móna. Níor tháinig an Ghaeltacht slán ón mbuille sin fós agus tá imirce ar siúl chomh hole, agus b'fhéidir níos measa. Bhíomar ag súil go gcuirfí deireadh leis nuair a tháinig an t'athrú Rialtais.

Chuir Fianna Fáil deireadh leis.

Níor airíos an rud adúirt an Teachta agus is dócha gur cuma.

Dúirt sé gur chuir Fianna Fáil deireadh le scéim na móna.

Is dearbhéitheach é sin agus is maith is eol don Teachta Ó Liatháin nach fíor é.

Níl aon airgead sa Vóta seo i gcóir na móna nó i geóir baint na móna.

Tá brón orm gur tharla sé seo, ach cuireadh isteach orm. Murach gur cuireadh isteach orm ní tharlódh aon chiotrainn ní tharlódh an rud a tharla. Dá ligtí dhom mo chuid cainte a dhéanamh ní bheadh trácht ar bith air. Tá daoine ar na binsí thall agus ní féidir linn aon rud a rá gan iad ag cur isteach orrainn agus ag amhastraí mar choileáin. Má tá eolas ón Teachta Ó Liatháin gheobhfaidh sé é. Ní maith le daoine áirithe anseo an fhírinne a chloisint.

Tá roinnt airgid curtha ar leathtaobh le haghaidh tionnscal sa nGaeltacht agus, mar adúirt mé, is Votaí iad-san a cuireadh ar leataobh chun chur i gcumas na ndaoine sa nGaeltacht obair a fháil sa nGaeltacht. Ní mór atá déanta fós maidir le tionscail na nGaeltacht. Fé mar adúirt mo chomhTheachta, an Teachta Ó Cíosáin, dá mb'fhéidir tionscal mór eigin a chur ar bun i gConamara cuir i geás, ba mhór a chabhródh sé chun easpa oibre sa nGaeltacht a reiteach, ach is deacair agus is rí-deacair na daoine a bhfuil in a gcumas an tionscal sin a chur ar bun a chur go dtí an Gaeltacht. Is fearr leo i gcónaí fanúint le hais na gcathrach agus na mbailte mór. Go dtí gur féidir na daoine a bhfuil an t-airgead acu a mhealladh chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar an nGaeltacht, Conamara nó Tír Chonaill, agus tionscail mhóra a chur ar bun iontu, ní bheimíd ábalta móran a dhéanamh maidir le buan-obair a sholáthair do mhuintir na Gaeltachta.

Bhí oibreacha eile ag siúl ag Rialtas Fianna Fáil. Rinne an Teachta Ó Cíosáin tagairt do scéim na dtrátaí. Bhí ag éirí leis an scéim sin agus tá ag éirí leis fós agus d'fhéadfaí é a leathnú. Ba mhaith liom cur leis an moladh a thug an Teachta Ó Cíosáin don Aire Tailte gur cheart cúram na scéime sin a thógaint faoi Sheirbhísí na Gaeltachta. B'fhearr d'éireódh leis, mar bheadh níos mó báidhe acu leis an scéim ná mar atá ag an Aire atá ina feidhil faoi láthair. Chonaic mé féin an scéim ar siúl i gConamara agus bí mé ag caint le daoine go raibh tithe gloine acu. Bhíodar lántsásta leo, agus bhí ag éirí leo go maith go dtí gur cuireadh isteach orthu agus gur cuireadh lag-mhisneach orthu. Tá súil agam gur féidir a shocrú go mbeidh an scéim sin faoi Sheirbhísí na Gaeltachta chomh maith leis na scéimeanna eile atá acu ar mhaithe leis an nGaeltacht.

Tá a lán scéimeanna ann go mba chóir iad a chur ag obair ar mhaithe leis an nGaeltacht. Tá súil agam go gcuirfidh Bord Solathair an Leictreachais suim faoi leith sa nGaeltacht maidir le scéim aibhléise do na tithe agus go bhfuighidh an Ghaeltacht an chéad áit maidir le leathnú an tsolais aibhléise ar fud na tíre. Ba mhór a rachadh sé sin chun tairbhe mhuintir na nGaeltachta agus b'fhéidir go gcabhródh sé le stop a chur leis an sodar go Sasana agus go America atá ar siúl faoi láthair agus atá ar siúl le blianta gan stop.

Bhí an Teachta Ó Cíosáin ag cur síos ar an obair atá ar siúl faoi Acht Tithe na Gaeltachta agus tá rud amháin ar mhaith liom a rá mar gheall ar oibriú an Achta san. Cuireadh an tAcht san i bhfeidhm d'aon-ghnó le cuidiú le muintir na Gaeltachta, ach chuala mé Teachtaí anuraidh agus arú anuraidh go mór mhór nuair a bhí an Bille sin á phlé sa Dáil, agus iad ag iarraidh a chur ina luí ar an Aire go mba cheart na rialacha a bhain leis an Acht a bhogadh agus tithe a thabhairt faoin Acht do dhaoine agus do theaghlaigh nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu a thuille mar theanga teaghlaigh. Bhí mise go láidir ina choinne sin; ní chucu sin, ní do na daoine sin, a chuireadh an tAcht i bhfeidhm. Tig leis na daoine a thréig an Ghaeilge mar theanga labhartha feidhm a bhaint as na hAchta Rialtais Áitiúla agus ba cheart an tAcht seo a choiméad do na daoine a choinnigh an Ghaeilge beo agus a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga teaghlaigh acu fós. Ba cheart claoi leis na rialacha sin agus gan dul tharstu.

Bhí áthas orm a chlos ón Aire go bhfuil feabhas ag teacht ar an margadh don éadach a déantar sa nGaeltacht. Cheapas cupla bliain ó shoin nuair a chualamar ón Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha go raibh conradh déanta aige leis an bhFrainnc go bhféadfaí cuid mhaith den éadach sin a dhíol ann. Do réir mar chuala, níor éirigh ró-mhaith leis an iarracht sin. D'fhéadfaí níos mó den éadach a dhíol anseo ag baile, dá mbeadh sé le fáil níos flúirsí ins na siopaí dá ndéanfadh an Fho-Roinn seo níos mó iarracht chun an pobal seo a mhealladh chun an t-éadach seo a cheannach.

Chomh fada is bhaineann le feabhsú na Gaeltachta, le feabhsú saol na ndaoine atá ina gcónaí ins na ceantracha sin, táimid anseo taobh thiar den Aire in aon iarracht fónta a dhéanfaidh sé, chun leas na Gaeltachta agus chun saol níos fearr a fháil don cheantar sin.

Dhein an Teachta Ó Briain gearán gur cuireadh isteach air agus más chuamsa a bhí sé ba mhaith liom leithscéal a ghabháil leis mar níor chuireas isteach air ach chun rud a rá dhó nár chuala sé ón Teachta Ó hUigín.

Tá mé beagáinín bodhar.

Is é adeirim, nár chuireas isteach ar an dTeachta Ó Briain ach amháin chun a rá os ard an méid a mheasas a theastaigh uaidh a chloisint ón dTeachta Ó hUigín.

Más cur isteach é sin, gabhaim leithscéal leis. Is oth liomsa gur tháinig an Teachta Ó Briain ar an Meastachán so fé mar a tháinig sé. Bhí an oiread sin den mhéid a bhí le rá aige gur aontíos leis gur oth liom gur bhain sé den mhéid adúirt sé trí chúrsaí poilitíochta i bhfoirm páirtithe a thabhairt isteach sa scéal. Ceapaim féin—agus níl eagla orm é rá go neamh-bhalbh—go bhfuil daoine ar gach taobh den Tí seo atá dáiríribh i dtaobh na Gaeilge agus i dtaobh na Gaeltachta, agus ceapaim fós go bhfuil daoine ar gach taobh den Tigh seo a dhéanann neamairt ar an nGaeilge, atá beag beann ar an nGaeilge, agus ar cuma leo í ann nó as. Deireann daoine go mbíonn an fhírinne searbh. B'fhéidir gur searbh linn go léir a leithéid do chreidiúint, ach sin a chreidim agus is dóigh liom gurb é sin fírinne an scéal.

Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil cothrom na féinne dhá fáil ag an nGaeltacht i láthair na huaire. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuair an Ghaeltacht cothrom na féinne ó Rialtas Fianna Fáil. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuair an Ghaeltacht cothrom na na féinne ón Rialtas a bhí ann rompu. Dá mbeidís dáriribh mar gheall ar an gceist seo ní suim suarach mar seo a bheadh dá vótáil againn ach suim i bhfad Éireann níos mó. Má chreidimid, fé mar adúirt an Teachta Ó Cíosáin sa Bhéarla gur sa Gaeltacht atá an "repository of the language"—is doigh liom gur mar sin aduirt sé sa Bhéarla é —agus má chreidimid gur rud amháin den dá rud tábhachtach atá le déanamh againn mar náisiúin an teanga a shábháil, tuigfimis ná sabhálfaimid an Ghaeltacht ná an teanga a labhartar ann le suim chomh suarach leis an suim seo. Ar eagla go mbéadh míthuiscint ar Teachtaí, cuimhnídís ar an méid seo, gurb é seo an tsuim is mó gurb é seo an Meastachán is mó a fágadh fós fé bhráid na Dála. Ná tógtar ar an Aire atá anseo anois go bhfuil an tsuim seo beag, tá sé £50,000 níos mó ná aon Mheastachán a bhí ann roimhe seo.

Má gheibhimse nó aon Teachta eile locht ar an Aire, cuimhnímís i gcónaí go raibh Airí ann roimis a tháinig isteach sa Dáil le Meastachán i bhfad ní ba shuaraí ná an Meastachán seo.

Is dóigh liomsa gur tháinig anuraidh, agus gur tháinig i mbliana, Meastachán na Roinne Oideachais, Meastachán Foraoiseachta, agus Meastachán i gcóir Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta, ró ghairid dá chéile. B'fhearr, ceapaim uaireanta, b'fhearr i bhfad dá bpléití na trí Meastacháin seo mar aon Mheastachán amháin.

Ní theastaíonn ó aon duine againn bheith ag síor-chaint sa Tigh seo, ná go mbeadh ainm orainn go rabhamar i gcónaí ag clamhsán i dtaobh na Gaeilge, faoin neamart a cheapann cuid againn atá dá dhéanamh uirthi. B'fhearr go mbeadh an cleamhsán dá dhéanamh againn ar aon Mheastachán amháin.

Dúradh sa Tigh seo agus go minic cheana—is dóigh liom go ndubhairt mé fhéin é i bhfad sul a dtáinig mé isteach anseo—go mba chóir go mbeadh Aire faoi leith ann don Ghaeltacht agus do aibheochaint na Gaeilge. B'fhéidir nach mbeadh a leithéid indéanta, agus táim cinnte ná déanfaimid beart don Ghaeltacht go dtí go mbeidh Aire faoi leith againn agus an cúram amháin sin air. Ní indiu ná indé a thána ar an dtuairim sin, agus do réir mar a gheibhim tuille eolais ar an scéal is amhlaidh atá mé níos láidre ar an intinn sin.

Do thóg an Teachta Ó Briain ar an Aire gur as Bearla a thairg sé an Meastachán seo os comhair na Dála agus thug sé le tuiscint don Dáil gurb é an tAire an chéad Aire a dhein amhlaidh. Tá fhios ag an dTeachta go maith nach fíor dó é sin. Bhí beirt Aire a bhí i bhfeighil na fó-Roinne seo faoi Fianna Fáil a bhí ar bheagán Gaeilige agus a thairg an Meastachán os comhair na Dála sa Bhéarla. Is oth liom go bhfuil sé imithe. B'fhéidir gur mhaith leis iarracht a dhéamamh ar sin a bhreagnú.

Bhí roinnt Gaeilige acu ar aon chuma.

Ní féidir é a bhreagnú. 'Sé is dóigh liomsa ná bheidh rath ar an nGaeltacht, agus ná bheidh rath ar an Aireacht atá i mbun Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta go dtí go mbíonn dearcadh nua ar fad againn. Ó bunaíodh an Stát seo, ón uair a díbríodh na Sasanaigh as an chuid seo den tír, níl á dhéanamh ag an Roinn seo ach saghas leathnú ar an sean-pholasaí a bhí ag Bord na gCeantar Cumhang. Ní doigh liom gur cheart an scéal a bhreithniu, ní dóigh liom gur cheart tabhairt faoin gceist seo sa tslí sin in aon chor. Ní socrófar ceisteanna achrannacha eacnamaíochta na Gaeltachta sa tslí sin. Ní haon mhaitheas a bheith ag iarraidh cailiní óga a chur ag obair ar sníomh nó cniotáil nó i monarchana ag déanamh bréagán do pháistí. Ní mar sin a sábháilfear an Ghaeltacht. Shábháilfaí é dá ndéantaí iarracht ar obair a sholáthar dos na fir is na buachaillí, dóibh siúd gur thug Dia dóibh go mbeidís mar lucht tuilleamh na clainne. Rud áifeiseach, dar liomsa, bheith ag iarraidh obair a sholáthar do cháilíní óga agus iachaill á chur againn ar na buachaillí is na hóigfhir dul thar lear go dtí an Bhreatain Mhór nó America. Go dtí go mbíonn deareadh nua againn ar fad ar an gceist seo ní bheidh rath ar an nGaeltacht.

Do luadh cúrsaí foraoiseachta sa díospóireacht anseo agus is dóigh liomsa gur sa bhforaoiseacht atá réiteach na ceiste. Dá gcuirtí chuige sin i gceart—ní ró-dheacair in aon chor a bheadh de na fir a choimeád ag a baile agus seans a thabhairt dóibh pósadh agus seans a thabhairt dóibh clann a thógaint agus caoi a thabhairt dóibh a slí bheatha a thuilleamh sa bhaile agus gan iachall a chur orthu bheith ag imeacht thar lear. Do réir mar thuigeas ón meid adúirt an Teachta Mac Pháidín bhí díomá agus dímhisneach agus éadochas air. Ag dul ar gcúl a bhíomar, dúirt sé. Más fíor dó—agus ba chóir go mbeadh eolas faoi leith aige féin i dtaobh na ceiste seo—ba chóir go dtabharfaimis sár-aire don mhéid adúirt sé. B'fhéidir ná beinn féin chomh héadóchasach leis acht tá mé cinnte nach gereideann sé an méid adúirt sé gan fáth. Más mar sin atá tá sé de dhualgas ní h-amháin ar an Aire agus ní hamháin ar an Rialtas ach ar an Tigh seo—ar Theachtaí ar gach taobh den Tigh seo—beart a dhéanamh a chuirfeadh deireadh le aoiseanna an éadochais sin go luath agus a leigheasfadh an scéal gan mhoill 'na iomlán.

Dhein an Teachta Ó Briain tagairt d'Acht na dTithe (Gaeltacht) agus dúirt sé rud amháin ina thaobh sin. Ba mhaith liom cur leis an méid adúirt sé agus aontú leis. Dúirt sé nár choir go bhfuigheadh daoine fén Acht sin cúnamh tithe nua a thógaint agus an Gaeilge á leigint chun báis in a dtithe féin. Anuraidh chuala Teachta ag caint annseo agus achiní á dhéanamh aige ar an Aire gan bheith ró-chruaidh ar dhaoine sa Ghaeltacht i dtaobh na ceiste seo agus ag rá nár chóir go mbeadh aon teist i dtaobh labhairt na teanngan ina dteaghlacha. Ní aontóinn in aon chor leis an dtuairim sin agus tá súil agam pé cúnamh atá le fáil ag daoine faoin Acht seo go rachaidh an cúnamh sin do na líontí a bhfuil an Ghaeilge beo in a measc. Ba mhaith liom rud eile adúirt an Teachta Ó Briain a mholadh leis. Mhol sé go mbeadh scéim na dtrátaí faoi stiúrú nó faoi choimirce Sheirbhísí na Gaeltachta in ionad a bheith faoin Roinn Talmhaíochta. D'aontóainn leis san méid sin. Ceapaim nach drochsmaoineadh é, ar chor ar bith.

Tá roinnt ceisteanna ba mhaith liom a chur ar an Aire i dtaobh na deontaisí faoin Act a thóg sé isteach anuraidh. Níor theastaigh uaim go mbeadh orm an chuid sin dem óráid a dhéanamh i mBéarla ach b'fhéidir go mbfearr dom labhairt leis an Aire faoi na deontaisí i mBéarla i dtreo is go bhféadfainn freagra d'fháil uaidh. Do réir mar a tuigtear dom-sa níl aon dearbh ar bith ar na figúirí a thug an Teachta Ó Cíosáin annseo agus ba mhaith liom mar sin go ndéanfadh an tAire an sgéal do mhíniú dúinn. Do réir mar a tuigtear dom-sa, do caitheadh £13,000 agus tá £63,000 le caitheamh fós ar thithe nua ina an nGaeltacht. Fé mar adúirt mé, b'fhéidir go mbeadh sé níos fearr dom an cheist sin do chur ar an Aire i mBéarla.

Rinne an Teachta Ó Briain tagairt do scéim na móna. Ní theastaíonn uaim an Teachta a leanúint sa cheist sin, ach amháin a rá gur taispeánadh go soléir sa Tigh seo—chomh soléir agus dob fhéidir é a thaispeáint—go raibh beartaithe ag Rialtas Fhianna Fáil deireadh a chur le scéim saothrú na móna láimh-bhainte sar ar tháinig an Rialtas seo i bhfeidhm in aon chor. Is dóigh liom gur maith a thuigeann an Teachta Ó Briain an méid sin agus, dá bhrí sin, ní ceart dó iarracht a dhéanamh ar a leithéid de dhalladh mullóg a chur ar Theachtaí na Dála seo.

I was anxious not to speak in English on this Estimate and I do not propose to do so at any length but there are one or two questions which I should like to address to the Minister and which, perhaps, had better be addressed to him in English, and there are one or two observations which I intend to make which, perhaps, I may be forgiven for making in that language. I regard the amount of this Estimate, when it is considered in relation to the vast sums it is proposed to expend on other services, as ridiculously small. I cannot sincerely find it in me to fault the Minister very grievously in that respect because unfortunately the Minister is merely following a precedent which was created not alone by his immediate predecessor but by all the Ministers who have been responsible for this branch of his Department. In point of fact, it is only fair to the Minister to say that the amount which he is asking the Dáil to vote for Serbhisí na Gaeltachta is the largest sum ever asked of the Dáil for this service.

This Estimate should be approached completely apart from Party considerations or Party lines. I believe that the idea of saving the Gaeltacht and of saving the language has friends on all sides of this House. At the same time, I am quite satisfied that there are people on both sides of this House who do not give a tráneen about Irish. It is, therefore, up to those of us who believe and realise that if the Irish language dies the Irish nation cannot live, to see to it that we do not allow Party lines to divide us in ensuring that our point of view will prevail. I do not believe that any real progress can be made towards arresting the decay of the Gaeltacht while we pursue the methods and the policy we are pursuing to-day and have pursued since this State was set up. We are merely continuing, in a slightly new way, the old policy originally laid down for the Congested Districts Board. There may be a slightly more Irish approach to it. We may be imbued with a different motive but, in effect, the remedies that we are seeking to apply are the remedies that a British sponsored and a British constituted board applied for the relief of congestion in what they called the congested districts, and which were in fact, in 90 per cent. of the cases, Gaeltacht areas.

Until such time as there is a completely new outlook, there is not any hope of arresting the wasting away of the Gaeltacht and that will not be done until we get it into our heads that we will not save the Gaeltacht by providing employment for little girls at knitting industries or at toy-making industries. It will only be done when we embark on a policy of providing employment for the people who should be the natural breadwinners of the family, the young men and the boys, and, until such time as we can prevent them emigrating and provide them with employment, then this decay in the Gaeltacht will continue.

One solution—and I have considerable confidence in the Minister in this respect—that presents itself is the development of large-scale afforestation. That is the real and perhaps the only solution. I would recommend it and urge it on the Minister as the one which most immediately springs to the mind. In addition to that, I see no real difficulty in such a dispersal of industry that a certain type of factory could be directed either by the Industrial Advisory Board or by the Department of Industry and Commerce to Gaeltacht areas. If we think that we are going to save the Gaeltacht merely by cottage industries, then I suggest to the Minister that we are deluding ourselves, we are being dishonest with ourselves and we are certainly not going to achieve anything real or lasting.

I do not know to what extent the Minister could influence the Electricity Supply Board to speed up rural electrification in Gaeltacht areas. That is something which he should tackle; it is something which will make his job in other respects easier. If we are going to have industrial development in the larger villages or the small towns in Gaeltacht areas, it is something to which he will have to direct his attention. In any event, if we are going to make life livable for people in the Gaeltacht areas, that is one of the first steps we could take.

I would like to endorse what Deputy Donnchadh Ó Briain, said about the tomato schemes. It would be preferable if the administration of these schemes were left to Gaeltacht Services. There may be practical difficulties in the way—I do not know whether there are or not. I would be interested to hear the Minister's comments on that suggestion.

I think it is a pity that the fisheries section, which used to be under the Minister's care, was removed from the Minister and given to the Department of Agriculture. In so far as the Minister is responsible for the economic development of the Gaeltacht areas, I think it is a pity that the fisheries section was not left with him. The first occasion on which the fisheries section was taken away from this Department was on the Minister's assumption of office.

Arising out of the portion that I heard of Deputy Kissane's remarks, there are one or two questions I would like to address to the Minister. Deputy Kissane quoted certain figures. I have not an accurate note of them, but if they were correct, they are appalling. I made inquiries about this matter a short time ago and the information I have may not be quite up to date, but I understood that under a recent Act there was sanctioned an expenditure of £76,000, approximately. I do not know the actual amount paid. Now that would not bear any relation whatever to the figures quoted by Deputy Kissane.

The actual figure was £63,466—that was sanctioned in grants last year. The amount actually paid was £13,781. The number of new houses commenced was 225 and the number of reconstructions commenced was 133. Deputy Kissane was careful not to mention those.

I am not in a position to discuss those figures, but if the figures which the Minister has quoted approximate closely to the figures which were given to me some six or eight weeks ago——

They do approximate.

If Deputy Kissane's figures are correct, then the construction or the reconstruction of houses in the Gaeltacht would average out at about £2,500 a house. The Minister may laugh at that, but I would like him to deal with it.

Yes, I will deal with it.

Do I understand the Minister to say that there were 200 new houses commenced?

There were 225 new houses commenced and 133 reconstructions commenced and in course of progress.

I take it Deputy Kissane's figures bear no relation to the facts?

Deputy Kissane mentioned only the number of houses actually finished during the year. He took good care not to mention the houses in course of construction during the year, which is a big thing.

These are the houses under the Act introduced last year?

I do not think that type of argument assists Deputy Kissane or any of us who are anxious to get something done in the Gaeltacht areas. I do not want to delay the House unduly, but I must reiterate what I said on this Estimate last year, that if on any occasion the Minister sees a method whereby money can be usefully spent in the economic development of the Gaeltacht, spent on the Gaeltacht Services to save the Gaeltacht and the language, I sincerely and honestly believe that he can defy any Minister for Finance and come before the House in the fullest possible expectation of getting it.

Mar adúirt na Teachtaí atá tar éis labhairt, cuireann daoine ar gach taobh den Tigh spéis ins an Meastachán seo. Ní hamháin go mba mhaith linn cuidiú leis na daoine ins an Ghaeltacht, na daoine is boichte sa tír, is dóigh liom, ach ba mhaith linn, freisin, cuidiú leo mar gheall ar an Ghaeilge agus is mar gheall ar gur Gaeilgeoirí iad is go mbraitheann aibheochaint na teangan go mór orthu, go gcuirimíd spéis fé leith ins an scéal. Is dóigh liom freisin gur sompla maith é go labhraíonn Teachtaí a thógas páirt ins an díospóireacht seo an Ghaeilge iad fhéin mar, dá mba rud é go gcaillfimis an Ghaeilge ins na ceantracha Gaeilge ní bheadh an suim céanna againn ins an scéal. D'fhéadfaimis suim a bheith againn ó thaobh bochtanais na daoine ach, ó thaobh an rud mhór náisiúnta seo, aibheochaint agus forbairt na teangan, ní bheadh an cheist sin ann a thuilleadh.

Is dócha go dtuigeann gach éinne nach féidir linn an Ghaeilge d'aibheochaint má táimid ag braith ar an nGalltacht. Tá na scéimeanna seo a bhfuil sompla díobh ins an Meastachán curtha ar bun chun leas na ndaoine ins an Ghaeltacht, cuir i gcás na monarchain bheaga sin a mbíonn cniotáil ar siúl iontu. Bheireann siad cuid mhaith buntáiste ins na ceantracha sin agus ós rud é go bhfuil an méid sin de gach saghas earraí agus éadaigh Gaelacha á cheannach, sílim go mba chóir don Rialtas agus go bhféadfaidís níos mó a dhéanamh chun na hearraí sin a chur chun tosaigh níos mó, cuir i gcás, ag na taispeántais agus ins na siopaí agus in áiteacha a mbeadh fleadhanna ar siúl ag an Rialtas féin agus go bhféadfaí an moladh sin a rinne Dean Swift fadó faoi go mba chóir d'uaisle na tíre seo sompla mhaith a thabhairt faoi éadaí Gaelacha a chaitheamh, a chur i bhfeidhm. Anois go bhfuil cuid mhór d'earraí agus éadaí Gallda á bhrú isteach orrainn, dhéanfadh sé maitheas, go mór mór Seachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig, dá ndéanfaimis sár-iarracht chun cuidiú le earraí agus déantúsaí na Gaeltachta chomh maith le earraí Gaelacha i gcoitinn.

Mar gheall ar an nGaeltacht i gcoitinne, is dóigh liom go bhfuil buntáistí fé leith ag Tír Chonaill mar bhíodh roinnt monarchan ansin i gconaí agus d'fhéadfaí cuidiú leis na cinn atá ann cheana féin. Má tá airgead le spáráil ag an Aire Airgeadais, agus má tá sé sásta cuid den airgid sin a chaitheamh chun forbairt na ndéantúsaí, ba chóir dhó cuidiú le deantúsaí atá ann cheana féin, cuir i gcás, i dtuaisceart na hÉireann.

Chímid agus léimid ins na páipéirí go bhfuil Rialtas na Sé Contaethe chun deontaisí airgid a thabhairt, fiú amháin do na déantúsaí móra atá acu ansin, mar gheall air go bhfuil siad i gcomórtas tréan le déantúsaí tíre eile, ach tá siad go han-tábhachtach. Ins na ceantracha bochta, mar Thír Chonaill, tá na monarchain bheaga sin chomh tábhachtach i slí is atá na monarchain mhóra ins na Sé Contaethe mar tá daoine ag braith orthu. Dhéanfadh cupla míle punt a lán maitheasa uaireanta chun meaisiní nuadha a chur isteach agus na monarchain sin a chur ar bhealach go bhféadfaidís dul i gcomórtas leis na monarchain mhóra atá ag déanamh éadaigh ins na bailtí agus na cathracha. Gan amhras, tá na hoibritheoirí go han-chliste agus ó thaobh ailleachta agus maitheasa an stuif, tá mé cinnte go bhféadfaidís dul i gcomórtas le na monarchain is fearr atá againn.

Mar gheall ar fhoraoiseacht, an tuairim a fuaireamar nach féidir crainn a chur ag fás in áiteacha a bhí lom agus oscailte ar na sléibhte, ach, mar adúrthas anseo nuair bhí Vota an Foraoiseachta ar siúl, b'fhéidir anois, leis an méid aire atá á thabhairt don rud sin ar a dtugtar eolaíocht talmhaíochta, nó eolaíocht ar chréanna, agus mar sin, agus eolas ar an talamh, go bhféadfaí crainnte a chur ag fás, crainnte a mbeadh maitheas éigin iontu, agus a bhféadfaí a rá gur adhmad tráchtála a bheadh iontu. B'fhéidir go bhféadfaí iad a chur ag fás anseo agus ansiúd ins an Ghaeltacht.

Is dóigh liomsa go ndearna scéim na móna, ceart go leor, a lán maitheasa agus dá mbeadh scéimeanna móra mar sin, cuir i gcás i gceantracha mar Iorras i gCo. Mhuigheo, áiteacha a bhfuil portacha an-mhór iontu, déanfadh sé a lán maitheasa.

Más féidir airgead a fháil ón Counterpart Fund, sílim go bhféadfaí cuid den airgead sin a chaitheamh ar thalamh d'fheabhsú agus do leasú ins na ceantracha sin go bhfuil portaigh iontu.

Mar adúirt an Teachta Conchubhar Ó Liatháin, d'fhéadfaí níos mó a dhéanamh leis an iascaireacht. Ó thaobh cúrsaí talmhaíochta nó foraoiseachta, bheinn an-amhrasach go bhféadfaí mórán a dhéanamh mar atá an scéal fé lathair i gceantracha, mar Chonamara, nuair nach bhfuil ach carraigreacha ann. Ós rud é go bhfuil an t-airgead ann agus go bhfuil glaoach faoi leith ag na ceantracha seo ar an Rialtas, sílim go bhféadfaí roinnt a dhéanamh ins na ceantracha i dtuaisceart Chonamara, in iarthar Cho. an Chláir, i gCiarraidhe agus Corcaigh, chomh maith leis na dúiche sin i gCo. Mhuigheo. Mar adúirt daoine de na Teachtaí, má táimid chun deontasaí a thabhairt le haghaidh tithe, nó aon rud eile, tá súil agam go gcomhlíonfar na rialacha faoi go gcaithidh an duine bheith ina chainteoir ó dhúchas. Ins an Roinn Oideachais, is dóigh liom, tá siad réasúnta dian faoin riail sin a chur i bhfeidhm. Mar ba mhór an scannail don tír agus ba mhór an masla dúinn go léir dá bhféadfadh daoine a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu ach nach labhrann de ghnáth í ar an teaghlach na buntáistí a fháil atá curtha ar leathtaobh do fhíor-chainteoirí ó dhúchas. Sin é an chuspóir atá againn. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil ceantair ann agus fíor-bheagán cainteoirí ó dhútchas fágtha iontu. Má bhreathnaíonn Teachtaí ar na figiúirí ón Roinn Oideachais maidir leis na teaghlaigh a fhághann an £5 feicfidh siad go bhfuil an Ghaeilge imithe nó beagnach imithe ins na ceantair sin. Tá áiteacha ina bhfuil sí réasúnta láidir: Conamara, Tír Chonaill agus ceanntar beag i nContae Chiarraighe. Má thuigeann na daoine go bhfuil sé de dhulagas orthu a chruthú go labhrann siad an Ghaeilge i gcoitinne le buntáistí na scéime a bhaint amach sílim go ndéanfadh sé a lán maitheasa don Ghaeilge. Anseo, chomh maith le cúrsaí oideachais, tá a lán buntáistí ag dul do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Tá muid ar aon intinn gur chóir ár seacht ndícheall a dhéanamh ar son na ndaoine sin agus níl muid ag iarraidh orthu ach go mbeadh siad dílis don Ghaeilge; iad sin go bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu on gcliabhán agus a bhfuil ard-deis acu dul ar aghaidh sna scoileanna agus iad féin a ardú sa saol, níl uainn ach go bhféachfaidh siad nach bhfuighidh an Ghaeilge bás.

I would like the Minister to examine the question of Gaeltacht housing. We have received complaints from South Kerry about delays in carrying out inspections. While we know that every effort is being made, it might be a case for an additional engineer to deal with the numerous applications that have gone through. I appreciate the Department's efforts and their promptness to meet us on behalf of the people but there has been undue delay for some time.

Another point with which I should like the Minister to deal although it is not within his jurisdiction is the question of school meals in Gaeltacht districts. As the Minister is responsible for the Gaeltacht he could represent to the Department of Education that a review is needed of the whole position. There is an anomaly there. The scheme is made available to areas in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht and Breac-Ghaeltacht as distinct from the Gaeltacht as a whole. The scheme is needed by the children concerned and the same facilities, I suggest, should be allowed to all the children in the Gaeltacht, both the Breac-Ghaeltacht and the Fíor-Ghaeltacht.

There should be co-operation between Departments to assist the Gaeltacht. I maintain that there should be some understanding between the various Government Departments where the Gaeltacht areas are concerned. If schemes are put up by the Minister for Lands which impinge upon the work of the Department of Agriculture, then I hold that the Minister for Agriculture should co-operate with the Minister for Lands in every phase of activity in the Gaeltacht. I have in mind what was done 50 or 60 years ago. An alien Government recognised that the congested districts were an entity in themselves and a distinct system of administration was set up to deal with these districts. I think that principle should be adopted by whatever Government is in office. These areas require special attention and administration as apart from the rest of the country. Departments should pool their resources in developing these areas. That is the only way in which the problem can be solved. It cannot be solved by the lone efforts of one Minister with one Estimate. Schemes should be put in operation which would benefit the people in these areas. I have in mind the potato scheme which has operated so satisfactorily along the southern coast of Kerry this year. Climatic conditions down there were very favourable for the successful outcome of the scheme. If that scheme were extended it would be of tremendous benefit to the people. The first potatoes came on the market this year from that area. I think that scheme could be developed much further. Similar schemes could be implemented in other Gaeltacht areas. I would like the Minister to bear these suggestions in mind. I know the difficulties that exist and I appreciate what the Government has done. I particularly appreciate what the Minister did in amending the Gaeltacht Housing Acts in order to make grants available to the people in the Gaeltacht areas. I hope he will take note of the suggestions I have made.

Ní tógfar orm é má dhéanaimse clamhsán ar an Meastachán seo, mar atá an oiread clamhsáin déanta cheana féin ag an Teachta Mac Pháidín. Dúirt sé go raibh an Ghaeltacht ag dul siar agus nach bhfaca sé féin mórán dóchais sa scéal. Thagair sé do cheist an imirce agus ansin rinne sé moladh. Mhol sé go gcuirfear bord nua ar bun, mar tá an oiread sin rudaí faoi stiúradh ranna eile narbh fhéidir le Seirbhísí na Gaeltacha a lán acu a thabhairt faoina gcúram. Nuair a bhí mé ag éisteach leis, scríobh mé cuid do na rudaí a bhfuil dlú-bhaint acu leis an nGaeltacht. Cuir i gcás, tá an Roinn Talmhaíochta, i dtaobh rudaí mar míntíriú talún, scéim na dtrátaí agus rudaí eile a bhaineas le leas na Gaeltachta. Tá cuid eile sa Roinn chéanna, an t-iascach; tá dlú-bhaint ag an seirbhís sin leis an nGaeltacht freisin. Tá, ar ndó, baint ag an Roinn Tionscail agus Tráchtála leis, i gceist na móna. Níl mise chun cur síos go mion ar aon cheann de na rudaí sin, mar tá a fhios agam nach bhfuil aon rud sa Meastachán seo mar gheall orthu.

San am chéanna, is iondúil go gcuirfear síos ar an Meastachán seo níos leithne ná mar cuireadh ar na Meastacháin eile, ar an ábhar nach féidir leis na seirbhísí seo a lán a dhéanamh don nGaeltacht a bhíonn daoine ag súil leis. Cuir i gcás an tseirbhís oideachais, ní fheicim-se go bhfuil aon rud sa Rialtas ar fad atá ag déanamh an oiread leasa sin—leasa seasamhach, buan-sheasamhach don Gaeltacht ná mar dhéanas an Roinn Oideachais. Ní bhíonn aon duine ag iarraidh go dtógfadh Seirbhísí na Gaeltachta an chuid sin den Roinn Oideachais a bhaineas leis an nGaeltacht. Freisin, tá na scéimeanna fostaíochta speisialta i gceist, maraon leis an Roinn Leasa Shoisialaigh, agus ar ndó, tá dlú-bhaint freisin ag an Roinn Rialtais Aitiúil le leas na Gaeltachta.

Má bhreathnaíonn aon Teachta go doimhin ar an gceist seo, feicfidh sé go soiléir nach féidir aon bhord nó dream, is cuma cén saghas teidil atá ar, pé "Bord na gCeantar Cumhang" é nó eile —a cheapadh a dhéanfadh na leasa seo ar fad.

Rud eile dhe, ní dóigh liom gur féidir aon dream feiliúnach sásúil d'fháil le cur ar an mbord sin agus a dhéanfadh na dualgaisí atá molta dhó. Mar gheall ar sin, tá mé féin den tuairim gur féidir leis an Roinn seo an ceangal a dhéanamh idir na ranna eile is tá in intinn na dTeachtaí eile atá ag moladh bord faoi leith don Ghaeltacht. Baineann an chaint sin, freisin, leis an moladh a rinneadh annseo le Aire faoi leith a cheapadh don Ghaeltacht. Ní dóigh liom go mbfhéidir leis an bhfear sin, dá dtoghfaí é, na rudaí go léir a dhéanamh agus do bheadh sin mar ábhar magaidh fiú amháin ag na daoine anseo faoin Meastacháin seo.

Feicthear dom go bhfuil an teideal atá ar na seirbhísí seo ag éirí rud beag in a "misnomer." Freastalann siad ar cheantracha nach bhfuil sa nGaeltacht anois. Cuir i gcás na hionadaí cniotála, níl siad ar fad sa nGaeltacht, nó fiú amháin in sa mbreac-Ghaeltacht, agus tá siad faoin Roinn seo. Ní féidir a rá go bhfuil na "Marine Products Industries," ach an oiread, ar fad dá oibriú sa bhfíor-Ghaeltacht nó fiú amháin sa mbreac-Ghaeltacht. Ar an taobh eile dhe, tá cuid den Ghaeltacht i lár na tíre anois, nach bhfuil baint ag an Roinn seo leis. Tá na daoine i lár na hÉireann sa bhfiorGhaeltacht cheart agus san am cheánna ba cheart go mbeadh tús áite ag an bhfíor-Ghaeltacht agus an tarna áit ag an mbreac-Ghaeltacht i gcóir na seirbhísí seo.

Is mór an leas a dhéanas na tionscail bheaga atá ar bun, ach chuala mé daoine ag moladh—tá mé a cheapadh gurb é an Teachta Ó Liatháin a rinne é—gurb é an Meastachán seo an ceann is mó a bhí ann don tseirbhís seo. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil sé sin fíor.

An féidir é do bhréagnú?

Má bhíonn an Teachta foighdeach, míneoidh mé dó an bhrí atá le mo chuid cainte. Tá an suim airgid, is dócha, ar an méid is mó, ach bhfuil an Teachta chun chur ina luí orm-sa gur fiú an £ an méid arbh fhiú é? Nár dhúirt an tAire Airgeadais nach fiú é ach a leath? Ag cur síos ar luach an airgid dom, ba mhaith liom tagairt do dhéanamh do rud éigin eile. Tá £4 10s. de luach ar thonna feamainne nó slata mara. Molaim go dtabharfar tuairise don Dáil.

Tuairisc rite; an Coiste le tionóladh arís.

The Dáil adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 24th May, 1950.

Barr
Roinn