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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1925

Vol. 10 No. 17

DEFENCE FORCES (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL, 1925.

I beg to move:—

Deartuítear leis an rún so go bhfais-níonn an Tigh seo go bhfuil an Bille do rith an Tigh seo agus dá ngairmtear:—

Resolved that this House hereby declares that the Bill passed by this House and entitled:—

“Acht chun na hAchtanna Fórsaí Cosanta (Forálacha Sealadacha), 1923 agus 1924, do bhuanú agus do leasú,”

“An Act to continue and amend the Defence Forces (Temporary Pro visions) Acts, 1923 and 1924,”

agus dar gearr-theideal

and whereof the short title is the

“Bille Fórsaí Cosanta (Forálacha Sealadacha), 1925,”

“Defence Forces (Temporary Pro visions) Bill, 1925,”

go bhfuil sé riachtanach chun an tsíocháin phuiblí do chosaint láithreach.

is necessary for the immediate pre servation of the public peace.

Will the Minister give us any information as to what this motion means? Are we to imagine that there is going to be a rising, or that there is an armed force from outside the country swooping down upon us? What is the meaning of the suggestion that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace? Surely the Minister can give us some information.

I think the Deputy knows the reason. He is not so innocent as he pretends to be. The reason is that the Army (Temporary Provisions) Acts expire on the 31st March, and it is necessary, if we are not to allow the Army to become a rabble and have no authority over it, that we should have this Bill passed before the 31st March. That is the reason, and the only reason, why this resolution is brought forward. If it were not brought forward to-day in both Houses of the Oireachtas the Bill could not have the assent of the Governor-General before seven days would elapse.

Will the Minister give us any explanation as to why, the eleventh hour, or almost the fifty-ninth minute of the eleventh hour, is allowed to arrive before he brings forward the necessary legislation to keep the Army as portion of our services? Surely, having regard to the fact that it is the Minister's duty alone to attend to that part of the government of the country he should have his resolution here at the proper time to give us an opportunity of looking through those Acts referred to, before giving him the powers he requires. That is not an unreasonable request, and I wonder has the Minister any explanation to offer?

The Deputy has had every opportunity of looking through the Bill which was passed here a fortnight ago. If he has not seen that Bill up to now, it is not my fault.

Question put and agreed to.
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