asked the Minister for Education if he will increase the amount of subsidy to the Royal College of Surgeons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - College of Surgeons Subsidy.
32.
The question of the appropriate grant-in-aid for the Royal College of Surgeons is considered annually in connection with the preparation of the Estimates for the Public Services. The amount to be provided in 1971-72 will be considered in the normal way in connection with the preparation of the Estimates for that year.
Will the Minister state if, in view of the work which is being done by the Royal College of Surgeons in the medical education field, he will give consideration to increasing the grant from £13,000 to a realistic figure?
While I appreciate the work which is being done by the College of Surgeons, I do not propose to change the amount made available this year. Full consideration will be given to all matters in connection with this grant when it is being considered in the Estimates for 1971-72.
May I ask why should the Minister for Education increase the grant for the College of Surgeons where only about one-fifth of the students are Irish?
Enoch Powell.
Is the College of Surgeons not amply subsidised by the Government of Norway——
We have these silly interruptions from the Minister. He should grow up.
The Minister for External Affairs is interrupting me. What is he saying?
We get mixed up because there are so many of them.
Because there are so many juveniles in the Cabinet.
May I ask the Minister for Education a simple question? He answered us recently in this House——
That was miraculous.
At least he did answer us. He said that foreign students are charged £450 a year here. That is in accordance with international standards. Actually, it is rather cheaper than the international standard. Is the Minister for Education aware that the College of Surgeons is amply subsidised by the students from foreign countries and the Government of Norway, and that it can remain viable in those circumstances.
Foreign students are being charged the economic fee.
Question No. 33.
Did the reference escape the ears of the Chair by the Minister for Transport and Power to Mr. Enoch Powell in a most jeering and skittish manner? Did the Chair hear that reference?
A Deputy
The Deputy is welcome back.
I heard it over here.
I feel, Sir, that if you had heard the reference to Mr. Enoch Powell you would have directed the Minister to withdraw any disrespectful reference to a member of another parliament.
The Chair did not hear any such references.
I heard it and I am further away from the Minister than the Chair is.
Since it obviously referred to me I really object in the most thorough manner. I am astounded at the Minister for Transport and Power referring to me as having any feeling for the member of parliament in Britain, Mr. Enoch Powell. It is an outrageous suggestion. I am really astounded.
Question No. 33.
Every Deputy has the right to defend himself.
We cannot discuss this question all evening.
I have the right to defend myself if someone compares me to Mr. Enoch Powell. It is outrageous.
Have Members of this House no protection against the vicious innuendos of the members of the Cabinet?
If they are out of order, yes.
I am grateful to my colleague. I did not hear this remark but it was heard throughout the House. It is outrageous to compare me with him——
Withdraw.
He should withdraw if he made such a remark. Is it the suggestion that the Chair is deaf in the left ear. That is what the Minister is doing.
The Chair is fortunate that——
It is unfair to the Chair and it is unfair to me.
Will the Deputy please resume his seat. Question No. 33.