Last evening the Dáil passed the Second Reading of a Bill entitled the Old Age Pensions Bill, 1929, by a majority of two. In the course of the debate the Government, through the Minister for Finance, indicated their opposition to that measure, which proposed to impose a burden of some £300,000 per annum on the taxpayer. The cost of old age pensions to the State is already two and three-quarter million pounds per annum, and the Government, having given the matter the most careful consideration, are not prepared to take the responsibility in the present financial situation of providing a further large addition to that sum, which, while imposing a heavy burden on agriculture, trade and industry, would not even have the merit of benefiting the more necessitous and deserving old age pensioners.
The Executive Council, while it appreciates that the result of yesterday's vote was due to the fortuitous circumstance that a number of the members of the Government Party were unavoidably absent, nevertheless feels that the House, having come to the decision that it did, should be given an opportunity of electing another Executive. I have therefore tendered my resignation to His Excellency the Governor-General.
I move, sir, that the House now adjourn until Wednesday next at 3 p.m., when I presume the first business will be the election of my successor.