I move that the Dáil sit later than 9 p.m. this evening, and that the Order for the Adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m.
GNO TEAOHTAI PRIOBHAIDEAOHA. - PUBLIC BUSINESS.
I was approached by the official representative of the Government, who, presumably, undertakes the direction of business in this House, not more than three-quarters of an hour ago, as to the notice of motion in the name of Deputy Donovan being taken to-night, and that on that account the President was going to ask that the Dáil sit late. Now I understand that this motion is being postponed and that only ordinary business is going to be taken to-night.
Yes,
Could the President explain why the change should take place without notification?
It was my intention to have the notice of motion taken to-night, but I understood since then that the Deputy had agreed to postpone it. If it is not necessary to sit late to dispose of the business on the Order Paper, we need not sit until 10.30.
I am agreeable to have it postponed—in fact I asked to have it postponed for my convenience.
Will the Electricity Bill be taken to-night?
Yes.
The point I wanted to raise was this: The President is, doubtless, aware that at a meeting which took place at the Chamber of Commerce last Thursday a matter was referred to the Council of that body for consideration. Owing to the holidays the Council could not meet before yesterday, and they drew up certain proposals which they are anxious to put before the Minister for Industry and Commerce in connection with the Electricity Supply Bill. I understand that the Minister has been out of town, but every effort has been made to get in touch with him so that an opportunity might be afforded for discussing these proposals with him before the Report Stage of the Bill is proceeded with. I am anxious, if possible, that that opportunity should be afforded to that particular body.
I am proposing to proceed with the Electricity Supply Bill to-day. I do not know whether I am in order in referring to the Chamber of Commerce proceedings, or whether Deputy Cooper will think it necessary to leave the House if I do, for fear that anything might be said to change his point of view while he is here. Nothing said at the Chamber of Commerce meeting has made me change my point of view about the Bill. I gave no guarantees to the Chamber of Commerce—indeed, I would have felt precluded from giving any guarantee to such a body—and the amendments down in my name cover every guarantee that I gave with regard to the Bill.
Is the Minister proposing to discuss this matter publicly with the present representatives of the Dublin Corporation, in order to get any views from that body as to the effect of this Bill upon public affairs in Dublin?
No; I am going ahead with the Bill before the Dáil and the Seanad.
I did not say that the Minister had given any guarantee. What I said was that the Chamber of Commerce were anxious to discuss certain proposals which they were prepared to lay before him, and I was anxious that an opportunity should be afforded to that body of doing that before the Report Stage was taken.
The Minister did give one guarantee. When he was asked a question he said: "I will do that if the Dáil asks me." It is surely desirable that an opportunity should be given to the Dáil to ask the Minister. However, I want to pursue the way of peace and make a suggestion. If the President intends to get through the programme before the Dáil in the time he has indicated in his answer to Deputy Redmond's question, he would need the co-operation of every section of the Dáil, and I believe he will obtain that co-operation if he makes it clear that he is not trying to force an issue. The contentious questions referred to by Deputy Good all arise on Part II of the Bill. Might I suggest to the President that he should take Part I of the Bill to-day on Report, and postpone consideration of Part II. until next week. There are 21 amendments down to Part I, and they will take a considerable time to discuss. The fact that seven of them stand in the name of Deputy Johnson is sufficient proof that they are substantial amendments which will require adequate discussion. They will occupy our time sufficiently to-day. It may be necessary to sit late to consider these. I would suggest that it would be a reasonable compromise if we could agree to take up to and including amendment 21—that is to say, Section 33, which is the last section in Part I—and that we should then take the remainder of the Bill next week. That would offer sufficient time for the discussion of which Deputy Good has spoken. I think that that is a fair suggestion—fair to the Government and to the Opposition— and I make it in that spirit. I do not want to retort to the sarcasm of the Minister.
The question of opposition has been spoken of. In the opposition to me on the questions supposed to be contentious in the Bill there were four Deputies, and these four Deputies got plenty of time in which to give their ideas full play. I see no reason for any delay in this matter. If the Chamber of Commerce are being defeated, remember they lost a day themselves in not allowing me to appear before them a day earlier.
Does the Minister realise that two-thirds of the amendments to this Bill are in his name?
Definitely; following out guarantees I gave in Committee.
Are we not going to be given time to discuss them?
I am not proposing to limit the time in any way. I am proposing not to agree to a motion to limit the time in order to enable an outside body to approach me.
In view of the answer of the Minister I am opposing the late sitting.
Question put.
The Dáil divided:—Tá, 39; Níl, 13.
Tá
- Earnán de Blaghd.
- Thomas Bolger.
- Séamus Breathnach.
- Seoirse de Bhulbh.
- Próinsias Bulfin.
- Máighréad Ní Choileáin Bean
- Uí Dhrisceóil.
- James Dwyer.
- Michael Egan.
- Osmond Grattan Esmonde.
- Desmond Fitzgerald.
- Thomas Hennessy.
- Patrick Leonard.
- Seosamh Mac a' Bhrighde.
- Liam Mac Cosgair.
- Tomás Mac Eoin.
- Pádraig Mac Fadáin.
- Patrick McGilligan.
- Eoin Mac Néill.
- Seoirse Mac Niocaill.
- Liam Mac Sioghaird.
- Pádraig Mag Ualghairg.
- Martin M. Nally.
- John T. Nolan.
- Wm. Norton.
- Seán O Bruadair.
- Parthalán O Conchubhair.
- Séamus O Cruadhlaoich.
- Séamus O Dóláin.
- Eamon O Dubhghaill.
- Peadar O Dubhghaill.
- Pádraig O Dubhthaigh.
- Eamon O Dúgáin.
- Risteárd O Maolchatha.
- Domhnall O Muirgheasa.
- Séamus O Murchadha.
- Mairtín O Rodaigh.
- Seán O Súilleabháin.
- Caoimhghín O hUigín.
- Patrick W. Shaw.
Níl
- Earnán Altún.
- Pádraig Baxter.
- Bryan R. Cooper.
- John Good.
- Connor Hogan.
- Séamus Mac Cosgair.
- Patrick J. Mulvany.
- James Sproule Myles.
- Ailfrid O Broin.
- Mícheál O Dubhghaill.
- Mícheál O hlfearnáin.
- Pádraig O hOgáin (Luimneach).
- Liam Thrift.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Dolan and Sears. Níl, Deputies Good and Cooper.
Motion declared carried.