Considering the nature of the Bill, I have no doubt that the amendments submitted are in order, but some of them are new sections and of such a nature that I think they should be considered in Committee. To go in and out of Committee for the different amendments would be troublesome, and, therefore, I am of opinion that the Bill should be recommitted for the purpose of all these amendments. I understand that the Minister for Local Government proposes that such action be taken.
Local Government Bill, 1945—Report Stage.
Is it permissible to introduce what are practically new sections on Report Stage?
I considered the matter very carefully. The point raised by the Deputy occurred to me also, and I think they are in order, that they arise out of existing sections. They might be an extension of them, but they are in order and do so arise.
I am not questioning your ruling, Sir, but I think this is a new precedent. They may arise out of existing sections but they do not arise out of what happened in Committee, I submit.
I should like to say that however outrageous it might be in relation to precedents to go into Committee on Report Stage on all these amendments and on new sections in the Bill, we will not, in our work to-day, outrage precedent or the procedure of the House to anything like the extent to which it was outraged in Committee when an utterly new principle, unrelated to anything in the Bill, was introduced, accepted as being in order and passed by the House, which took out of the hands of the local representatives and put into the hands of the Minister, whenever the Minister desired, the power to strike a local rate. We will not do any great damage to-day to precedent or be guilty of any Parliamentary outrage which will not pale before what we did in Committee Stage.
I do not wish in any way to question the ruling of the Ceann Comhairle, but I should like to go on record as being of opinion, if I may say so with respect to you, Sir, that certain amendments on the paper to-day, in the name of the Minister, are new sections, and, therefore, would not be in order on Report Stage.
The Deputy will be so recorded. He is entitled to his opinion.
I move that the Bill be recommitted for the purpose of the amendments circulated.
Question put and agreed to.