Perhaps at his stage I might refer to the question that was raised yesterday as to whether the Dairy Produce Bill should not be referred to a Special Committee. Deputy Johnson suggested that, and I asked for time to consider it. On consideration I think that it would be better to refer the Bill to a Special Committee, and I take it that it is the Committee of Selection that nominates a Special Committee. When the selections have been made we can settle the date of the first sitting and the date of the final sitting.
THE DAIRY PRODUCE BILL. - REFERRED TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
Mr. HOGAN
The date on which the Committee would report.
Mr. HOGAN
That could come before the Dáil when the Committee of Selection had met, and the first and final sittings could be decided.
We can make an order now that the Bill be referred to a Special Committee to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.
You will want to state the number, will you not?
Yes.
Mr. HOGAN
Now?
Yes, otherwise the Committee of Selection could not select them.
Mr. HOGAN
Not more than nine.
Then we can order that the Dairy Produce Bill be referred to a Special Committee of nine Deputies to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, five, say, to be the quorum. When we get the names the Minister suggests that we could fix the date on which the Committee will hold its first meeting and the date for reporting back.
Would not the Minister consider that the Farmers' Party ought to get special representation on the Committee? Would he make a special representation to the Committee of Selection to keep that viewpoint before them when the are making the selection?
The Committee of Selection would keep that before them in the light of what the Deputy says.
Is it suggested that the whole Committee should be composed of farmers?
It would be better for the Deputies representing the farmers to make the point raised by Deputy Wilson when the Committee is making the selection.
Certain lines have been followed by the Committee of Selection, and in this case we would like a departure from them. They have always followed the line of giving representation to parties according to their strength in the Dáil. We want to depart from that line now.
I think it would be better not to give such instructions.
Deputy Wilson is a member of the Committee, and he can bring that matter before them.
And in any case the Committee reports to the Dáil.
Mr. HOGAN
In any case that suggestion is obvious and is reasonable. I propose: "That the Dairy Produce Bill be referred to a Special Committee of nine Deputies to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, and that the quorum of the Committee be five."
I second the motion. Question put and agreed to.