I move:—
In page 12, Section 23 (1), lines 43 and 44, to delete the word "may" and substitute in each case the word "shall" and at the end of the sub-section to add the following words "and in the appointment of members of the committee the county council shall have in view the advisability of appointing, whenever possible, rated occupiers who are within the schemes which are to be maintained by the said county council."
The object is to make it compulsory on the county council to appoint a committee to deal with the drainage schemes within the county. In the Bill, as originally drafted, the wording was the same—it was "shall" and not "may." I think it is a mistake on the part of the Parliamentary Secretary to introduce an amendment changing it from "shall" to "may." I maintain that work of this kind cannot be effectively done by a whole county council. While it is probable in most cases that the county council will pass the work on to a committee, still I think there is not the least bit of harm done in making it compulsory on them to do so. I think there is a good purpose served by making it compulsory. That is with regard to the first portion of the amendment. With regard to the second portion, I think it is practically met by the following amendment in the name of Deputy Duggan. It is to the effect that one member of the committee at least must be a rated occupier. I would ask the Minister to consider the advisability of the council delegating the work to a committee. I cannot see what objection there can be to that. More attention would be given to the work by a smaller body than the whole county council.