Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1943

Vol. 92 No. 1

Expiring Laws Bill, 1943—Second and Subsequent Stages.

An tAire Airgeadais (Seán T. O Ceallaigh)

Tairgim: "Go léighfear an Bille an dara huair." Níl aon rud san mBille seo thar mar a bhí san mBille a bhí os cóir na Dála bliain o shoin. Ach ós rud é go bhfuil Teachtaí nua san Dáil so, shaoileas go mba cheart eolas éigin do tabhairt dóibh cad is brí leis an mBille. Ar an abhar san cuireadh amach imleitir dos na Teachtaí ag miniú an Bhille.

This Bill is similar in all respect to to the Bill introduced this time twelve months. Twenty years ago or thereabouts, the Expiring Laws Bill used to be a fairly formidable measure, with very long schedules of Bills carried on for another year or two years. In the course of the past 20 years, the list has dwindled and we have now a mere handful of Bills to be renewed in this way. Judging by what I have been told, the list will be still further diminished next year. The Schedule to this Bill is exactly similar to that in the Bill passed by this House 12 months ago. The older members of the House know what the purpose of the Bill is and its necessity. This year, for the benefit of new members of the House, we circulated a circular giving a brief account of the contents of each of the Acts in the Schedule and the reasons why it was necessary to continue them in the Expiring Laws Bill. It is proposed to continue for a further year the statutes set out in Parts I and II of the Schedule. Of the eight Acts appearing in the Schedule, provision has been made for repeal of the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1925, which will disappear when the Combined Purchasing Act of 1939 comes into operation. As it will hardly be possible to give effect to the 1939 Act until the end of the present emergency, it is necessary to continue the 1925 Act for a further period.

A Rent Restrictions Bill is at present in an advanced stage of preparation, and the Minister for Justice hopes to introduce it at an early date. It will not be enacted before the end of this year. In fact, I do not think it will be introduced bofore the end of this year. It is neeussary, therefore, to continue for a further period the Increase of Rent, and Mortgage (Restrictions) Act, 1923.

The position regarding the remaining Acts in the Bill has been reviewed with a view to deciding whether legislation might be introduced to give permanence to any of them in its present or in an amended form. Any such legislation is, however, not thought to be feasible at present.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

There is no objection from this side of the House to the prolongation of the duration of the measures embodied in this Bill. The Minister has read out a document which, he said, was circulated to Deputies. It may have been so circulated but, through some mistake, I do not seom to have received it.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

I did not read out any such document.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

I thought you said something had been circulated. In other years, an explanatory document used be sent out but no such document was sent out this year.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

Yes, it was circulated this year.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

It does not seem to have reached me. However, that does not matter because I went through the various Bills and I happened to know, from old experience, what they were about. So far as we are concerned, there is no objection to the Bill.

Mr. Larkin (Junior)

So far as a number of members on these benches are concerned, the document was not circulated.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

I am sorry to hear that. I understood it was circulated to every Deputy.

Mr. Larkin (Junior)

I merely want to refer to the Minister's statement that it is proposed to introduce a Rent Restrictions Bill in the near future. I take it the continual raising of this matter on the Expiring Laws Bill has borne fruit. I suggest to the Minister, and to the Minister for Justice, that if there is any unreasonable or prolonged delay in introducing the new Bill, they should consider taking advantage of the Emergency Powers Act to remedy a position which is for many people very grave. The present Act is quite inadequate to give protection to the many people who have been forced to pay what are undoubtedly extortionate rents, as they are not included in the provisions of the existing Act. I am sure we all would welcome the introduction of the new Bill. I may say it is very urgently needed.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

The information I have got with regard to the Rent Restrictions Bill is that the Minister hopes to introduce it at an early date.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

We know what early dates are.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

The Deputy often used the phrase himself.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

It is a very familiar phrase.

Mr. Pattison

And a very much abused one.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed that the remaining stages be taken to-day.

Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and reported.

Question—"That the Bill be now received for final consideration"—put and agreed to.

Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.