Vol. 12 No. 10
I move the First Reading of the Local Government (Rates on Agricultural Land) Bill, 1925. This is a Bill to carry out the undertaking given in the Budget statement to double the Agricultural Grant and to make the money available for relief of rates in the present year.
Leave given to introduce the Bill. Bill read a first time.
When is it proposed to take the Second Stage?
I would like if the Dáil would consent to take the Second Stage earlier than usual—say on Friday. This Bill is one that we must certainly pass before the Dáil adjourns. The general principle of it has been before the Dáil, in consequence of the Budget statement, for a considerable time. In order to expedite the passage of the Bill, and still leave sufficient time between Second Reading and Committee Stage, I would like to have the Second Reading on Friday if it were agreeable to the House.
I think we ought not to break the Standing Order in this matter. The Bill has not yet been circulated. It may be a measure that will not excite any controversy, but we do not know whether it will be a Bill of few clauses or of many clauses, and between now and Friday gives very little time for consideration of it. If circulated to-night, it would really mean only one day for consideration of the Bill. I think the time for speeding up will come after the Second Reading, and not before it.
We will take the Second Reading on Tuesday.
Second Reading fixed for Tuesday.
