Deputy Cosgrave asked if there would be any commitment by the commission before their report. I cannot say no definitely, but the commitment which will be entered into will be very small and only in connection with an option on a site which was considered advisable, as far as the commission was concerned. I do not say that the Government have agreed with that, but they have been asked to do it and if they do it, it will only be a matter of a small amount. It will be so small that it will not commit the Dáil to the point that we must go ahead with the matter. I can assure the Deputy of that.
Deputy Corish asked if, instead of paying the expenses of some members of the commission to America and Canada, it would not be better for experts to come across to this country. I think experts did come across. It is an extremely difficult matter. No Minister for Finance likes incurring or sanctioning expenditure of this kind, if he has a feeling that it is going to create a precedent for future commissions. On the other hand, we must remember that members of commissions give a great deal of their time free and give good advice, generally speaking, to the Government. For that reason, we cannot be too parsimonious if asked for a concession, or expenses, of this kind, this being a matter where the very latest information might be advisable. I must say that after consideration I was induced to agree that they should get these expenses.
I was also assured that that would not delay the report. As a matter of fact, they have made good progress in their deliberations and they expect, I believe, to present a report in the course of a couple of months. On the whole, therefore, I think they have worked hard in getting all this evidence and in making progress with the preparation of their report. They expect, when they get this additional information which they feel is necessary, by three of the members going to the United States of America and Canada, that the report will be completed in a very short time.