I beg to move:—
In Section 10 (2), page 4, line 50, to delete the words "Home Affairs" and substitute the word "Justice." Amendment agreed to.
SECTION 11.
COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. - DUBLIN POLICE BILL, 1924—REPORT STAGE.
SECTION 10.
I beg to move:—
In Section 11 (1) (b), page 4, line 58, to insert after the word "on" the words "or before."
The object of the amendment is to provide for cases in which ex-members of the D.M.P. who had served in the National Forces were demobilished before the 7th November, and were not re-instated on or before that date, by reason of the fact that the necessary formalities had not been completed.
Amendment agreed to.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
I beg to move:
In the First Schedule, line 42, to delete the words "Ard Comhairle" and to substitute therefor the words "Executive Council."
The words used in the body of the Act are "Executive Council," and I think it was Deputy Johnson raised the point that the same words should be used in the declaration.
I notice that the alteration is in one form; I thought it would have been probably in the other.
Amendment agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill, as amended, be received for final consideration"—put and agreed to.
In order to conclude the consideration of this Bill, I move:
That Standing Order 88 be suspended to permit the Fifth Stage to be taken to-day.
A series of these motions coming in relation to a number of Bills will, I am afraid, develop a bad habit on the Ministerial Benches, and I want, if possible, to put a brake upon that bad habit. In this case there may be good reason for it, but we do not know. We thought there was good reason when there was an expectation that a number of Bills would have to be passed within a very short time. Now that it appears that expectation has vanished, there is no need for this. We are probably going to sit here for two months, instead of two weeks, and it seems to me unnecessary to agree to this motion without further reason given. I would like the Minister to give us some reasons why such a motion should be agreed to by the Dáil. The only justification I can see was that it was a Bill which it was necessary to pass within a limited period. The period seems now to have been prolonged very much, and, therefore, the reason for haste probably has vanished. I would like the Minister to tell us what is the position.
The Bill is of considerable administrative importance, while at the same time containing very little that was regarded as controversial matter, and it seems to me that the interval between the Fourth and Fifth Stages was somewhat superfluous. If there is any serious objection to taking the last stage of the Bill now, I would not propose to press it. But some of the matters covered by the Bill are important. Take, for instance, Section 11. There are certain cases outstanding covered by that section, which are cases of some hardship and some urgency. My desire was to get the Bill as quickly as possible before the Seanad for its consideration. As I say, I could not put up a very strong case of urgency for the Bill, and if there is objection to taking the concluding Stage now, I will wait for the ordinary time provided for in the Standing Orders.
I am afraid the Minister is taking me too literally. I want to know if the Minister will tell us what is the intention of the Government regarding the Recess. If we are to sit on, then I say there is no need for hurry in this case. Let the Bill take its ordinary course. If we can get no satisfaction, then we shall have to ask the Dáil to oppose the motion.
If the Deputy wants information from me, he should try the direct method.
I was afraid An Ceann Comhairle would pull me up.
The President said the other day that July 4th seemed to have vanished as a possible date of adjournment. I think he meant just that and nothing more—that it may be necessary to sit for a week, or two weeks, or possibly three weeks after that.
Question put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
Bill ordered to be sent to the Seanad.