The remarks I have made with reference to the previous Bill apply also to the Private Bill Costs Bill, also introduced in and passed by the Seanad. In view, however, of the difficulty of preparing on short notice a Bill or Bills dealing with the awarding and taxation of costs and the payment out of court or the application of money deposits made in connection with Private Bills, the Attorney-General recommended that a Bill for temporary purposes be introduced to adapt and apply to the Saorstát a code of British Acts dealing with these matters. It is the intention of the Attorney-General, at the request of the Joint Committee on Standing Orders, to prepare, at a later stage, a Bill setting up a somewhat different procedure from that which has been adopted at Westminster, which will repeal this Bill. It is desirable that this Bill be passed as soon as possible in view of the fact that five Private Bills have been referred to Committee, which will be taken up immediately after the Recess. The Acts which are required to be adapted and applied, and which are dealt with by this Bill are:—Parliamentary Deposits Act, 1846; House of Commons Costs Taxation Acts, 1847 and 1849; Parliamentary Costs Act, 1865. I beg to move the Second Reading of the Private Bill Costs Bill, 1924.
DAIL RESUMES. - PRIVATE BILL COSTS BILL, 1924—FROM THE SEANAD—(SECOND STAGE).
Question—"That the Bill be read a second time"—put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for next Friday.