I move:—
To add to Section 8 (as amended) the following:—
"Provided that the Company shall perform with respect to the omnibuses run by it under the provisions of this Act, all such services in regard to the conveyance of mails as the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs is entitled to require from it with respect to its tramways under Section 24 of the Dublin United Tramways (Electrical Power) Act, 1897, and the provisions of Section 2 and Section (5) (1) first paragraph of the Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, shall apply to the said omnibuses in the same manner as if such omnibuses were tramways within the meaning of the said Act."
I would like to explain briefly why this amendment is in a different position from the other amendments which have just been inserted by the Seanad. This amendment was made on behalf of the promoters, after consultation with the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, and was brought before the Committee when it met for the purpose of reconsidering the Bill in respect of two amendments that were moved in the Seanad on the Report Stage. The Committee felt a difficulty, in so far as their definite terms of reference were only to consider amendments which had been referred back to them. At the same time, as is set out in portion of the report, they decided to recommend these amendments. Subject to your opinion, it seems to me that the Committee in so doing went outside the terms of reference and outside their powers, and that it would not be desirable for many reasons, if, in future committees were considering Private Bills, that they should adopt this course, which would leave it open for amendments to be moved that had not been considered by the House. That, I think, would not be a desirable procedure. In view of the fact that we are aware that the Committee has approved of this amendment, and as it is one of substance, placing upon the Tramways Company certain duties towards omnibuses, I think the Seanad might consider it wise to insert it without going through the formality of referring the Bill back to the Committee.