I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £13,500 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1959, for a Grant to An Comhairle Ealaion (No. 9 of 1951).
I am very sorry that this important Estimate should come up when we are restricted in regard to time. I think the suggestion was made by the Opposition—and I agree with it fully —that it would be desirable in the future that we should be able to give it the consideration it deserves. It is one of importance.
The total sum provided for was not reached in past years until last year. We are asking for the same sum for this year. There was a report issued in November last, for 1956-57, which I would urge Deputies to read. In view of the fact that I am not able to deal with the details of the matter, I had intended asking the Parliamentary Secretary to read the brief dealing with the activities of the council during the past year. However, Deputies will find the activities of the previous year in the published report; and the report on the activities of last year will be published fairly soon. I commend it to the House.
I am simply moving the Vote formally now. I would ask Deputies to read the report which was presented in November of last year and to be on the look out for the report for the year 1957-58. I am sure that, when they read it, they will be satisfied that the money being devoted to this work is well spent.
