I would like to know if matters of local and general importance can be raised on this Bill now. I would like to know what is the intention.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - APPROPRIATION BILL, 1927—SECOND AND FINAL STAGES.
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
Ordered: That the remaining stages of the Appropriation Bill, 1927, be taken to-day. (Mr. Blythe).
Bill passed through Committee without amendment and ordered to be reported.
Question proposed—"That the Bill be now received for final consideration."
What point does the Deputy wish to raise?
In connection with the appointment of county medical officers of health.
I think the Second Stage would have been the appropriate time, but it is a question whether the Minister for Local Government and Public Health is prepared to deal with the matter now or in some other way another time.
From my point of view it strikes me that this is one of the many items that would ordinarily arise on the Local Government Estimates, and is not really of very great importance when compared with other items that may also arise. I would suggest that this matter should be regarded as such, and that any discussion would take place in the ordinary way, when an opportunity that has been promised will be given in the autumn. In the meantime I do not know that there is any matter specially pressing with the Department of Local Government and Public Health in connection with county medical officers that would make it a question that could not wait for discussion until the autumn.
My point is that this is a matter of urgency, because steps are being taken by the Department of Local Government to enforce its Orders in regard to the appointment of county medical officers of health. If we do not raise the question now it will be too late to raise it at a later stage when an opportunity will be given. The Local Government Department may have taken steps in the meantime which will affect local boards.
I was going to suggest that if there is any particular point, the matter can be raised some day before the Dáil adjourns on the adjournment.
That will suit me.
The most important point to be considered in connection with the appointment of county medical officers of health is that the ratepayers will not be able to pay them.
Question put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
This Bill is a Money Bill for the purposes of Article 35 of the Constitution.