asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the schemes have yet been approved by the U.S.A. Congress for the use of the money in the Marshall Aid Counterpart Fund, and if he will give details of the schemes for which the money will be used.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marshall Aid Funds.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.
Can the Minister for External Affairs say if he has any information as to when it is likely that this matter will be considered and disposed of by Congress?
I understand that it has been cleared by the officials dealing with this matter, that it will be put before the appropriate Congressional Committee within a very short period, and I would expect that very shortly after that Congress may see its way to deal with the matter.
If the matter is unavoidably one of considerable delay, perhaps the Minister would bear in mind that his colleague the Minister for Agriculture is holding back certain schemes pending the determination of this matter, and whether it might not be better to anticipate those schemes and to recoup the treasury from this source if and when Congress has had an opportunity of disposing of it?
I do not anticipate very much longer delay, I must say.