I move the Second Reading of the Police Forces Amalgamation Bill (Amendment), 1925. I explained, I think, on First Reading what the chief object of this Bill is. Last year we passed a Bill amalgamating the Metropolitan Police with the Gárda Síochána, and by the provisions of that Bill we decided to reduce the amount of the rate which is struck in Dublin in aid of the police force. There was an eightpenny rate struck annually in Dublin, and it was decided by the Dáil that that should disappear over a period of eight years, being reduced each year by one penny in the pound.
The Bill was introduced here in November, 1924. It had passed through all its stages by the middle of February, 1925. It passed its fourth stage in the Seanad on the 18th March, and then, contrary to my anticipations, the Seanad adjourned that evening for a week, and the final stage was not taken until 25th March. The seven days ran to the 2nd April before the Bill was signed, and unless we pass this small amending Bill, the effect of that accident would be that because the Bill overlapped by two days into another financial year, that relief of one penny in the £ for the rates in Dublin would not be forthcoming in this financial year, and would not arise until the financial year 1927-8. We think it would be scarcely fair to take advantage of a mere accident of that kind, and the only effect of this Bill is to carry out the original intention, namely, that the relief for the Dublin rates would come in as from this forthcoming financial year. The proposed reduction to 7d. for the coming year will mean a relief to the ratepayers of about £6,500. Deputies will remember that that means a corresponding increase in the Gárda Síochána estimate.
That is the main purpose of the Bill, but simply because we are legislating and amending the main Act which was passed last year. I am asking further for power to make regulations for the formation of amalgamated representative bodies. It is permissive rather than mandatory. The position at the moment with regard to representative bodies in the police is that outside the metropolitan area there are two representative bodies, one for officers and one for the lower ranks; and inside the metropolitan area five representative bodies, one for the members of each rank serving in the area. So that altogether we have no less than seven representative bodies to deal with, while we have only a single police force. Clearly, if it can be brought about, it is desirable to have simply amalgamated representative bodies dealing with the needs of the entire force, and because statutory power is still lacking for that, there is inserted in this Bill a provision giving permissive power to make regulations for the existence of such bodies. These regulations would, of course, under Section 14 of the main Act, need to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas for approval.