Can we have an explanation as to what are the destructive insects and pests?
Public Business. - Destructive Insects and Pests Bill, 1928—Second Stage.
Question proposed—"That the Destructive Insects and Pests Bill, 1928, be read a second time."
Cathaoirleach
The Bill contains a good deal about them.
They are of no political significance?
Cathaoirleach
None whatever.
This Bill required a good deal of explanation in the other House, and I protest that it is due to this House that a statement of the intentions and purposes of the Bill should be made to the House.
Cathaoirleach
You oppose the Second Reading then?
If there is going to be no explanation, certainly.
I really did feel to-day on the Central Fund Bill that it was rather hard on the Minister for Finance to be the general utility man.
Cathaoirleach
He is always ready to be.
He is very good, but I do not think it was quite fair to him, and it is not quite fair to the House.
I want again to make this formal protest. This is a Bill of considerable importance. It is, to some minds, of such very great importance that it required to the Dáil a full explanation of its purposes and intentions. It seems to me that if the Seanad is to take part in the work of legislation it is entitled to the same amount of consideration from the proposers of Bills as the Dáil is entitled to, and we ought to ask that this matter be deferred until to-morrow, if the Minister can be present to-morrow and cannot be present to-day.
I understood from the Minister for Agriculture that he was coming, and a message has been sent to him.
Cathaoirleach
We will take the next business in the meantime.