I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill is a hardy annual, which is generally introduced about this time of the year. This year's Bill is slightly shorter than usual. It is necessary that it be enacted before the end of the calendar year. The Bill proposes to continue for a further year the statutes set out in Parts I and II of the Schedule. The Schedule differs from the Schedule in last year's Act in the following respects:—The Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923, and the Poor Relief (Dublin) Act, 1929, are omitted, as they have been repealed by the Public Assistance Act, 1939, which is now in force. Again, a new Act appears in Part II of the Schedule, namely, the Local Government Act, 1941. Section 65 of this Act, which expires on the 31st December, 1942, relates to temporary borrowing by local authorities for current expenditure, and it is desired to continue it for a further period, pending consideration of a comprehensive Bill dealing with borrowing by local authorities.
As the Schedule differs from the 1941 Schedule in these respects only, and as it is necessary to effect every possible economy in the use of paper, the customary explanatory memorandum has not been circulated to all Deputies. Of the eight Acts appearing in the Schedule, provision has already been made for the repeal of the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1925, when the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1939, comes into operation. It may not be possible, however, owing to the emergency, to give effect to the 1939 Act before the 1st January next, and it is necessary to continue the 1925 Act for a further period.
A Rent Restrictions Bill is at present being prepared, and the Minister for Justice hopes to introduce it as soon as possible. It will not be enacted before the end of this year, and in the meantime it is necessary to continue for a further period the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1923. The position regarding the remaining Acts is being reviewed, to consider whether legislation could be introduced to give permanence to them in the form of amended Acts, but any such legislation is thought not to be feasible at present.