Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 5 Jun 1931

Vol. 38 No. 21

Local Government Bill, 1931—First Stage.

Minister for Local Government and Public Health (General Mulcahy)

I ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to extend and define the powers of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health in relation to local authorities dissolved by him and in relation to subsidiary bodies wholly or partly appointed by such local authorities and to make special provision in regard to the Joint Committee of Management of the Grangegorman Mental Hospital.

The Bill deals with matters arising out of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the Grangegorman Mental Hospital and will be in the hands of Deputies to-morrow.

Mr. Lemass

As the Bill is not on the Order Paper, will the Minister state whether the purpose is to reverse the judgment of the Supreme Court?

General Mulcahy

No, it is not. The Bill will enable the Committee to make the payments that the judgment of the Supreme Court has decided should be made to the attendants.

Mr. Briscoe

Is the Minister not aware that all the payments arising out of the judgement have already been made and is the Bill not going to legalise the payment that has been made—

General Mulcahy

Yes.

Mr. Briscoe

—when the Board was not validly constituted; is not that the purpose of the Bill?

General Mulcahy

The Bill will be in the hands of Deputies to-morrow.

Mr. Briscoe

There is no fear, I hope, of the Minister asking the moneys back from the attendants.

Leave granted.

Second Stage ordered for Thursday, 11th June, 1931.