Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Apr 1927

Vol. 19 No. 17

PRIVATE BUSINESS. - DUBLIN UNITED TRAMWAYS (LUCAN ELECTRIC RAILWAYS) BILL, 1927—FOURTH STAGE.

PADRAIC O MAILLE

There are three amendments tabled in the name of the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the promoters of the Bill have signified their intention to accept the amendments. The amendments are as follows:—

1. In Section 1, page 5, to delete lines 6, 7 and 8.

2. In Section 17, page 8, line 55 to delete the words "Governor-General or any order of the."

3. In Section 38, sub-section (2), page 14, line 53, to delete the words "order of the Governor-General" and substitute, therefor the words "authorised under an order of the Minister."

Amendments agreed to.

PADRAIC O MAILLE

I move: "That the Bill, as amended, be received for final consideration."

Professor THRIFT

I would like to refer, very briefly, to a point which arose during the Private Bill proceedings on this matter. It has reference to Standing Order 80 and I wish to make the suggestion that, at the time the Standing Orders come up for revision, the point should be attended to. Standing Order 80 provides for the imposition of penalties on the promoter of a Railway Bill or a Tramway Bill, whereby the construction of any new line of railway or tramway is authorised, who fails to complete his undertaking and to open the line for public traffic within the time limited by the Bill. This provision may work very harshly against promoters and the suggestion is that the Standing Order should be modified by allowing a clause to be inserted in the Standing Order referred to freeing promoters from liability to pay penalties in respect of any time during which it shall appear from a certificate by the Minister for Industry and Commerce that the inability to complete the undertaking or open the line was due to unforeseen accident or circumstances beyond the control of the promoters. There are precedents for the insertion of such a provision in Standing Orders and I wish to make the suggestion now.

Mr. JOHNSON

I want to draw the attention of those interested in this Bill to a request made some time ago by the employees of the company to the directors of the company that a contributory superannuation fund should be set up. At the time this representation was made the employees were informed that it was not opportune and it was not possible for the company to enter on any such scheme, inasmuch as they did not know what the position was in regard to their tenure. I understand that that obstacle no longer stands in the way, and I make the plea in the hope that those who are interested will hear that the matter may be reconsidered by the directors of the company in view of the new position and the fact that the obstacle which they then said existed has been removed.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

Arising out of our experience, a number of suggestions have been made with regard to the amendment of the Standing Orders on Private Bills. The intention is to take all these suggestions together at an opportunity which will arise during the first long recess. The point Deputy Thrift has mentioned will receive consideration.

Question put and agreed to.