I move: "That the Standing Orders, as amended, be reported to the Dáil."
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - DAIL RESUMES.
With these additional amendments it will not be necessary to move:—"That the Standing Orders, as amended, be now adopted by Dáil Eireann." That would make them Standing Orders from this moment.
Say as from Tuesday week. That would give time to print and have them available for Deputies.
It is a matter for the Dáil itself, whether they would agree to make a provision to have these Standing Orders operative immediately.
I would move that they be adopted at once, as I understood at the Committee that we were urged to get particularly the financial part of the Standing Orders into working order at once. I do not press for any undue haste if the Dáil considers it would be reasonable to postpone the matter for a week. I understand, however, that we are not to sit at all next week, so that really to-morrow would be the day on which they would first take effect.
I do not know that that will be possible. I will have to have a Supplementary Estimate to go before the Dáil this week. I do not know if that will interfere with the Standing Orders, or if the Standing Orders conflict with it. I would suggest to let them run from Tuesday week.
I am quite prepared to accept any suggestion. I move: "That the additions and amendments to the Standing Orders adopted in Committee be adopted by Dáil Eireann and come into operation on and after Tuesday 20th."
I second the motion.
Question put:—"That the Standing Orders adopted in Committee be adopted by Dáil Eireann, and come into operation on Tuesday, March 20th."
Agreed.
The question of Standing Orders for Private Bills is mentioned in the introduction to this report, and I would like to inform Deputies that considerable progress has been made, and that these Standing Orders on Private Bills will be ready, in draft, next week. The process of adopting them will be very, very slow, as they concern a very great number of interests, all of which will have to have an opportunity of seeing them. For example, every Government Department has to see them. These Standing Orders come into force next Tuesday week.
Will you explain to Deputies the difference between Private Bills and Private Members' Bills?
Private Members' Bills may be either for private or public purposes, as in the case of the Hospitals Bill, which was introduced by a private member, but which concerned a public matter. Private Bills are Bills promoted for private interests, such as a corporation, or anything like that. When Deputies see the proposed Standing Orders for Private Bills they will appreciate that very well.
The Dáil adjourned at 6.45 p.m. until 3 o'clock on Friday, March the 9th.