asked the Minister for Justice if he will state when the Town Tenants Bill, 1930, will be circulated, and if he will now state on what date it is intended to take the Second Reading of the Bill.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Town Tenants Bill.
I have nothing to add to the reply given yesterday by the President to a similar question.
Will the Minister state the reason for the delay, seeing the promise that was given in this case by him on the introduction of this Bill that he would circulate the Bill on the 19th January? Can we get any definite promise or have the Ministry yet received the consent of the real rulers of this Dáil, Deputy John Good and Company? Is that the cause of the delay?
The Deputy has put three questions. The reason of the delay is the inherent difficulties of the problem itself. The statement that I made a promise to circulate the Bill at the end of January is incorrect.
A Deputy
In the middle of January.
Or in the middle of January. I stated that "I hoped." My actual words were these: "I hope to have the Bill circulated in the middle of January." Deputy Corry now says that I promised. Deputy Corry should not make a statement which is contradicted by a written document, because he said: "In view of this statement, we would like to have some definite promise from the Minister as to when the Bill will be circulated. Let him fix some definite date, not merely tell us what he hopes to do." That is what the Deputy thought then. As to his other question, I do not think that even Deputy Good claims to be an arbiter in this matter.
Does the Minister deny that he gave a definite promise, which was published in the Official Report, that that Bill would be introduced in the House before the Christmas Recess of 1929?
I have no recollection of making any such promise.
You have a very short memory.
If my memory is not at fault I think the statement to which the Deputy refers was in reference to the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Restrictions Act.
No, the question was asked in regard to the Town Tenants Bill and the Minister replied that he hoped to introduce it before the Christmas Recess of 1929.
Did not the Minister ask for the leave of the House to name yesterday as the date of the Second Reading of the Bill?
If so, was it not his intention to have the Bill circulated before yesterday?
Yes, it was my intention, but I have not been able to do so.
Why?
Because of the inherent difficulties of the scheme.
Is the Minister now in a position to state definitely when the Bill will be in the hands of Deputies?
Would the Minister state how far has the bargain gone between the gentlemen named and himself as to this Bill, and will he tell the House what exactly is the price that has been demanded?
There has been no bargain of any sort.