I move that we adjourn until this day week. I would like to consult the convenience of members, and I would say, provisionally, that we meet at 12 o'clock on Friday.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - THE ADJOURNMENT.
And the further adjournment?
Will be till the 21st October, unless we have to sit the following day, which I do not think is likely.
What kind of business will be done?
It depends almost entirely on what recommendations we get from the Seanad in connection with the Appropriation Bill and other Bills.
The business will be entirely business from the Seanad, I think.
I think we passed the second stage of two measures to-day.
Yes two Private Bills.
Are these matters to be dealt with at our next sitting?
The Oireachtas Witnesses Oaths Bill and the Private Bill Costs Bill are ordered for next Friday. These Bills are really promoted by the Joint Committee on Standing Orders for private business in connection with their work. The Committee Stage has been ordered for Friday, and if Deputies take any objection to proceeding with them on Friday they may not be proceeded with and they can be held over until October.
The matter is not one of great urgency in regard to Private Bills, because I believe no committee will sit before October, but there is a certain urgency as regards giving commissions or joint committees power to subpoena witnesses and taking evidence on oath. I understand that the Greater Dublin Commission is anxious to have this power. If that is so, the proceedings of that Commission would have to be held up until the Bill became law.
No, that Body would not have the power under this Bill, I am afraid.
If necessary an amendment could be made in it.
If we are not to conclude at 4 o'clock on Friday it would be more satisfactory if we were to begin on Thursday.
I am consulting the convenience of Deputies in that connection. I think some might come along for the opening of the Tailteann Games. In any case it would give the Seanad almost the maximum amount of time for the consideration of the Bills, and we could sit if necessary also on Saturday. It seems as if we were leaving the Seanad a very short space of time to deal with the measures, quite a large number of them. It would be a mistake to come back at an earlier date than the day perhaps that they would be ready. I was thinking of giving the maximum amount of time to them.
Mr. BYRNE
May I ask will the usual procedure be in operation on Friday, and that Deputies' questions will be answered on that day?
Certainly.
I do not know whether these two Bills are likely to require much attention, but would the President advise me whether it would be competent for a Committee of a single House to subpæna witnesses and administer oaths under this Bill?
Oh, yes. The Bill provides for a Committee of either House or a Joint Committee. It goes further than that:—
"Any Committee of either house of the Oireachtas, and any Joint Committee of both Houses of the Oireachtas, may administer an oath to a witness examined before such Committee."
You must first catch your witness, before you administer the oath.
The Courts Bill, I think is not a very satisfactory measure. Being a measure of urgency the British model was followed, but I think the British model is not a perfect one. The draftsman is overworked, and in order to simplify matters a temporary Bill was brought in and the British model was followed to cover the situation until it is possible to get a permanent measure.
Power is given to make adaptations by order. Except these two Bills there will be no further business, and if these Bills prove in any way contentious they will not be taken. That is the position. The other business will be altogether business from the Seanad.
The Dáil adjourned at 8.5 p.m. until 12 o'clock, Friday, 1st August.