I ask leave to introduce the State Lands Bill, which is "A Bill to authorise the making of leases and the granting of licences in relation to lands which by virtue of Article 2 of the Constitution belong to Saorstát Eireann." This Bill is pressing because of the fact that under the Constitution any letting of land must be made according to law. There are several cases which require to be dealt with before the adjournment for the Recess. These include the building formerly known as Richmond Barracks, and now known as Kehoe Barracks; the lands and buildings in Pearse Street, in the parish of St. Mark, formerly, I think, known as the recruiting office functioning under the British military; lands and building known as 14 Upper Sackville Street, commonly called O'Connell Street; lands and buildings known as No. 15, part of the land at Tallaght, and lands and buildings situated in the town of Clonmel which have been built by the Corporation with the sanction of the Local Government Department within the last sixteen months or two years. In all these cases the passing of the Bill will afford some employment, and it is necessary to pass it so that that employment can be given. In Clonmel there is some difficulty in getting in rents for the houses built under the Government grant and that difficulty will be obviated in this particular case. The Bill is urgent. It is intended to deal with Kehoe Barracks in a way that will be of considerable importance to the housing accommodation in the city and in addition will give some employment. I formally move.
STATE LANDS BILL, 1924—FIRST STAGE.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
Will the President make any provision for letting New-bridge Barrack for housing the people of that district?
I think that question would arise on the Second Reading.
Ordered for Second Reading, Tuesday, July 22nd.