On behalf of Deputy Duggan, I beg to move:—"In page 4, before Section 9, to insert a new section as follows":—
9.—(1) For the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under this Act, there shall be established an advisory committee (in this section referred to as the committee) which shall be styled the Local Supplies Advisory Committee and shall consist of five persons to be appointed from time to time as occasion requires as follows, that is to say:—
(a) two persons, being elected members of county or county borough councils in Saorstát Eireann, by the General Council of Irish County Councils, and
(b) two persons, being elected members of urban district councils or commissioners of towns in Saorstát Eireann, by the Association of Municipal Councils of Ireland, and
(c) one person by the Association of Chambers of Commerce of Saorstát Eireann.
(2) The several members of the Committee shall, unless they previously die or resign, respectively retain their membership for such period from their appointment as the Minister shall prescribe, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(3) Three members of the committee shall be a quorum, and the members of the committee shall at every meeting elect from amongst their number the chairman for that meeting and such chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(4) The committee shall have a secretary who shall be nominated by the Minister.
(5) The committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister and also on such other occasions as the committee may from time to time determine.
(6) The committee shall consider and advise the Minister on all matters which shall be referred to it by the Minister and the committee may also at its discretion consider and if it thinks fit report to the Minister on any other matter relating to or affecting the supply of commodities to local authorities under this Act.
(7) Payments may be made by the Minister to members of the committee, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, in respect of repayment of travelling expenses and payment of subsistence allowance.
This is a new section which was promised to be introduced on the Report Stage.