Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 27 Apr 1934

Vol. 51 No. 19

Sheepskin (Control of Export) Bill, 1934—from the Seanad.

The Dáil went into Committee.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

I move: That the Committee agree with the Seanad in amendment No. 1:—

Section 2, sub-section (2). A new sub-section inserted before the sub-section as follows:—

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and, if a resolution annulling such order is passed by either such House at any time during the continuance of such order, such order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such order.

The purpose of the amendment is merely to provide that every order made under the Bill shall be laid before each House and may be annulled by either House.

Mr. Curran

I would like to know from the Minister why this amendment is being accepted by the Government in view of the fact that this House has been occupied recently in discussing a Bill the purpose of which is to abolish the Seanad. If I were to proceed to discuss that question I would probably be ruled out of order, but from the point of view of the ordinary plain man and back bencher it seems to me rather strange that the Government should accept an amendment from the Seanad at a time when it is seeking to abolish that House altogether. The fact that the Government propose to accept this amendment from the Seanad provides a sufficient reason for me or for anybody else in the country as to the necessity for leaving the Seanad as it is.

Mr. Donnelly

It is like sending a wreath to a funeral.

Mr. Lemass

The amendment is a particularly stupid one.

Mr. Curran

Why accept it then?

Mr. Lemass

It serves no purpose whatever, nor is it any improvement on the Bill. I am accepting it in preference to having the Bill held up for 18 months.

Amendment agreed to.

Agreement with amendment reported.