Following consideration of reports on the extent of the damage caused by the recent flood disaster in The Netherlands and on the steps being taken by the Irish Red Cross Society to alleviate the distress resulting from the disaster, it was decided, on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence,¹ that a Supplementary Estimate for Defence should be introduced in Dáil Éireann to provide for the payment to the Society of an additional grant of £20,000 under section 2 of the Red Cross Act, 1938, in respect of the financial year 1952-53.