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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1927

Vol. 19 No. 3

MESSAGE FROM THE SEANAD. - LOCAL ELECTIONS (DISSOLVED AUTHORITIES) BILL, 1927—FIRST STAGE.

Séamus Aloysius Bourke

Mr. BURKE

I beg leave to introduce the Local Elections (Dissolved Authorities) Bill, 1927. It is a

"Bill entitled an Act to extend the period fixed by Section 72 of the Local Government Act, 1925, for the holding of new elections of members of local authorities dissolved under Section 12 of the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923, or Section 72 of the Local Government Act, 1925."

This is merely a short Bill which I believe will not be contentious. The object of it is to remove certain anomalies under Section 72 of the Local Government Act of 1925.

Tomas O'Connell

Mr. T. O'CONNELL

The Minister, I think, is too optimistic when he says that this will be non-contentious. It is usual not to oppose the First Reading of a Bill. The First Reading of a Bill should not be opposed except in extreme cases, but this is one of the cases in which one is justified in opposing the First Reading. It will be remembered that at first there was no limit fixed in the Local Government Act of 1925 for holding elections where the local authority was dissolved, and this section (72) was introduced before this Bill left the House. The House thought differently from the Minister, and it insisted in putting in a limit of time within which an election for a dissolved authority should be held. That was a limit of three years. The term is now up. This Bill is quite evidently an attempt to extend that period, and thus do what the Minister first intended to do before the House put in the limit. I must, therefore, ask the House to oppose the introduction of this measure.

William T. Cosgrave

The PRESIDENT

Has the Deputy considered the reasons for this? If this Bill is not passed it means that an election will take place in Offaly this year, and another election will take place in twelve months. The general consensus of opinion is against having two elections, one this year and another next year. An alternative proposal the Minister could bring forward would be to have an election this year and to amend the law with respect to having another election next year in Offaly. This is certainly the simpler method, because it gives a General Election all over the country for the same period for each local authority. It just happens that one year has to run in this case, and if it were not for that this particular Bill would not be introduced. It saves the county expense.

Richard Corish

Mr. CORISH

Does the President say that it is the intention of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to seek powers only until the period in which the General Election will be held?

Séamus Aloysius Bourke

Mr. BURKE

There are only three local authorities concerned: Cobh, Tipperary, and Offaly.

William Davin

Mr. DAVIN

Is it not a fact that the Minister promised an election would be held in Offaly last year, and he turned down that decision on representations made from a few self-appointed men? Why did he not hold the election last year?

Séamus Aloysius Bourke

Mr. BURKE

There was no case for the holding of an election last year under the Act.

William Davin

Mr. DAVIN

The Minister promised, in reply to a question put by me in this House, that he would order the election.

Question—"That leave be given to introduce the Local Elections (Dissolved Authorities) Bill, 1927"—put.
The Dáil divided:—Tá, 45; Níl, 11.

Tá

  • Earnán Altún.
  • Pádraig Baxter.
  • Earnán de Blaghd.
  • Séamus Breathnach.
  • Seoirse de Bhulbh.
  • Próinsias Bulfin.
  • Séamus de Burca.
  • John J. Cole.
  • John Conlan.
  • Bryan R. Cooper.
  • Michael Egan.
  • Desmond Fitzgerald.
  • John Good.
  • John Hennigan.
  • Connor Hogan.
  • Liam Mac Cosgair.
  • Pádraig Mac Fadáin.
  • Patrick McGilligan.
  • Risteárd Mac Liam.
  • Seoirse Mac Niocaill.
  • Pádraig Mag Ualghairg.
  • James Sproule Myles.
  • Martin M. Nally.
  • John T. Nolan.
  • Michael K. Noonan.
  • Peadar O hAodha.
  • Mícheál O hAonghusa.
  • Ailfrid O Broin.
  • Seán O Bruadair.
  • Risteárd O Conaill.
  • Séamus O Dóláin.
  • Peadar O Dubhghaill.
  • Eamon O Dúgáin.
  • Seán O Duinnín.
  • Donnchadh O Guaire.
  • Mícheál O hIfearnáin.
  • Fionán O Loingsigh.
  • Séamus O Murchadha.
  • Pádraig O hOgáin (Gaillimh).
  • Máirtín O Rodaigh.
  • Seán O Súilleabháin.
  • Caoimhghín O hUigín.
  • Seán Príomhdhall.
  • Patrick W. Shaw.
  • Nicholas Wall.

Níl

  • David Hall.
  • Séamus Mac Cosgair.
  • Risteárd Mac Fheorais.
  • Tomás de Nógla.
  • Tomás O Conaill.
  • Aodh O Cúlacháin.
  • Liam O Daimhín.
  • Eamon O Dubhghaill.
  • Seán O Laidhin.
  • Domhnall O Muirgheasa.
  • Pádraig O hOgáin (An Clár).
Tellers:—Tá: Deputies Dolan and P.S. Doyle; Níl: Deputies Morrissey and Nagle.
Leave granted accordingly. Second Stage ordered for Tuesday, 29th March.
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