I ask leave to introduce the Civic Guard (Acquisition of Premises) (Amendment) Bill. Last year we passed the Civic Guard (Acquisition of Premises) Act, which conferred on the Commissioners of Public Works powers to acquire premises compulsorily for the accommodation of the Civic Guard, subject to the proviso that such powers should be exercisable only for a period of twelve months, until the 16th July, 1924. The present Bill proposes to extend for another year the period within which such powers can be exercised. The extension is rendered necessary by the fact that of the 837 stations provided for in our scheme on distribution it has not yet been found possible to occupy about 90 stations owing to the difficulty of finding suitable accommodation. Moreover, in many of the occupied stations units of the Guard are housed temporarily in premises that are not very suitable, and even where the accommodation is suitable many of the barracks are held on short term tenancies, terminable at short notice. It is essential that provision should be made to obviate the possibility of these tenancies terminating where suitable alternative accommodation is not yet available. The machinery provided by the Act of 1923 has worked smoothly, and I am satisfied that the utilisation of its provisions has not in any case caused undue hardship. I ask leave to have the Bill printed and circulated.
MESSAGE FROM SEANAD. - THE CIVIC GUARD (ACQUISITION OF PREMISES) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1924.—FIRST STAGE.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
Question put, and agreed to. Second Stage ordered for Tuesday, May 13th.