Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 23 Mar 1923

Vol. 2 No. 44

LOCAL AUTHORITIES (EXTENSION OF TIME) BILL, 1923—SECOND STAGE.

I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill. As Deputies will be aware, when a local authority obtained powers to acquire compulsorily land or other rights for the purpose of carrying out works of public utility, it is usual to limit the time within which such public works must be carried out. Owing to the European War a great number of local authorities were unable to carry out works for which they had obtained legislative sanction within the time fixed, and the British Parliament in 1915 passed an Act called "Special Acts—Extension of Time Act." In that Act it was stated that where the time within which a duty is to be performed, or where power may be exercised under any Special Act is limited, application may be made to the appropriate Government Department for an Order under this Act extending that time, but only in cases where the time is due to expire within 12 months of the date of application. The time during which that Act remained in force was extended, I think, by a subsequent British Act called "The War Emergencies (Laws Continuance) Act," so that it remained in force up to August, 1922, and the Local Government Board could have extended the time of the various local authorities in Ireland—and in fact it could have been done by the Minister of the Provisional Government, but no action was taken. As a matter of fact in most cases extension could only be taken for 12 months, and the powers elapsed when extension was not sought. Most of the local authorities had broken off relations with the old Local Government Department in 1920, and the result was that, even where they wished to keep alive the powers, they refused to make application to the old Local Government Board for extension of time. In the case of Dingle powers were granted some years ago, and there were several extensions up to 1919. The Council there did not make any further applications, with the result that the powers lapsed. It is now desired to have those powers revived without putting the local authorities concerned to the expense and delay of obtaining a Provisional Order and having it confirmed by legislation. This Bill is not one, I think, that could be regarded as contentious. It is simply giving certain powers for a further period to the Minister for Local Government that were in the past exercised by the Local Government Board. The circumstances of the country have been such that local authorities who have failed to carry out these works in the specified time had every excuse for the delay which has occurred. I do not know whether any great number will seek to avail of the powers given in this Bill. The only real urgent case that has come before us has been that of the Dingle Rural District Council, which obtained powers to acquire land for the purpose of providing a water supply for the town. There is, in addition to the ordinary moneys which would be available, a special grant available from an extra Governmental source, and there is great need for the carrying out of the works and also great need for employment in the district, and it is very desirable in that particular case that the Council should be enabled to proceed without any great delay.

I second the motion.

I beg to support the Second Reading, because I think that it is desirable to extend whatever facilities we can for the pushing on of public works. If within the near future it is possible to proceed with those works, then we ought not to allow any legislative obstacles to stand in the way.

Question put: "That the Bill be read a second time."
Agreed.
Ordered for Committee, Tuesday, 27th March.
Top
Share