I propose to take items 9 and 10 on the Orders of the Day before some of the other Orders. I understand that the Minister is willing to give the information asked for in Deputy Heffernan's motion.
BUSINESS OF THE DAIL.
Is the President in a position to give the list of the Government's legislative proposals for the present session, as promised?
The Acquisition of Land (Allotments) Bill is being taken to-day. The Courts of Justice Bill is also being taken to-day. The Civil Service Regulations (Amendment) Bill will be taken to-morrow. It is also proposed to take the Local Officers Compensation (War Period) (Amendment) Bill and the Street Trading Bill to-morrow. The other Bills proposed to be taken are:—
Nov. 17th—Industrial Trust Com pany of Ireland (Acquisition of Capital) Bill.
Nov. 18th. — Statutory Rules and Orders Publication Bill.
Nov. 18th. — Statistics Bill.
Nov. 18th.—Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bill.
Nov. 19th.—State Lands Bill.
Nov. 24th. — Compulsory (Elementary) Education Bill.
Nov. 24th. — Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill.
Nov. 27th.—County Councils (Periods of Office) Bill.
Dec. 1st. — Local Authorities (Appointment of Officers) Bill.
Dec. 2nd.—Weights and Measures (Measuring Instruments) Bill.
Dec. 2nd. — Gas Regulations (Amendment) Bill.
Dec. 3rd.—Defence Forces (Property of Deceased) Bill.
Dec. 10th. — Wireless Telegraphy and Signalling Bill.
Dec. 15th. — Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill.
Dec. 15th. — Court Officers Bill.
Can the President give us any idea of what his intentions are with regard to these Bills? Is it proposed to give them precedence over the Bills at present before the Dáil?
No; this is just a continuation of the business.
Is it the intention to pass them this year?
I should say it is very unlikely that the last half dozen Bills, in fact the last seven, will be taken. There are some measures which would require to be taken, such as the Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bill. I should also like to take the Court Officers Bill. The explanation for it will be given on its introduction. As regards the others, I should say they will take their ordinary course.
Is the President prepared to give us any information as to when the Patents Bill and the Rules of Court papers will be laid on the Table of the Dáil and as to whether there is to be any Bill, or legislation of any kind, dealing with the general economic and social conditions of the country at present?
I undertook to give time next week for the discussion of the last item. As regards the Rules of Court, that depends on the passage of this other Bill. This Bill could not have been introduced until the Rules of Court had been drawn up.
Am I to understand from the President's programme that the Army Pensions (Amendment) Bill will not be introduced this year?
I think that would be a correct deduction from the list I have read out.
Mr. BYRNE
Are we to understand it will not be introduced until that programme is exhausted?
That was not the question I answered. The Deputy's interpretation of the list I read out not having included the Army Pensions (Amendment) Bill, was quite correct. I did not say, nor did I infer, that the Army Pensions (Amendment) Bill would not be introduced until after this programme had been exhausted. That is the Deputy's statement. I have no responsibility for it.
Will the President say that there will be no undue delay in introducing the Bill?
I have given that undertaking all along, and I am standing by it, that there is, and has been, no unnecessary delay, as far as the Government or the Minister are concerned, in connection with the introduction of that measure.
How long more is the Minister going to keep standing by that promise?
As long as the circumstances, over which I have no control, demand.
Are we to understand there is no intention during the present Session to introduce the Barrow Drainage Bill, so long promised?
I anticipate that that Bill will be introduced in the Spring.
There is a bye-election down there. It is all right.
Its introduction now would not hasten the very desirable work it is intended to deal with.