Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Feb 1953

Vol. 136 No. 12

Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital Bill, 1953— Report of Joint Committee on Standing Orders.

Captain Cowan

The Joint Committee on Standing Orders report that in the case of the application for leave to introduce the Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital Bill, 1953, they recommend that Standing Order No. 6 ought to be dispensed with on condition that the prescribed notice shall be published, on or before the 31st day of March, 1953, once in each of two successive weeks with an interval between such publications of not less than six clear days in at least two newspapers published or circulating in the area to which the application relates and subject to proof being given before the Examiner of Private Bills of such publications.

I move:—

That the Report do lie on the Table.

Mr. Dillon

I understood that the Standing Orders of the House required the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to move this motion. I do not think it is a matter of substance except that I do not think that Standing Orders should be casually set aside without notifying the House, which prescribe that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle moves a motion such as this. We know that the Ceann Comhairle is unavoidably prevented from being present and if it was necessary to ask somebody to do it I suggest that the correct procedure was to inform the House and ask that Standing Orders be suspended.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The arrangement was made that Deputy Cowan would act on behalf of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Mr. Dillon

Not with me. The matter was mentioned to me this morning andI was informed that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would invite a Chairman to take his place so that in order to comply with Standing Orders he could move the motion. It is not a matter of consequence but the Standing Orders are and I do not think we ought to get into the habit of brushing them aside.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

It is a little promotion for Deputy Cowan anyway— Deputy Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Question put and agreed to.

Ordered: That the Report do lie on the Table.

Captain Cowan

I move:—

That Standing Order No. 6 be dispensed with, on condition that the prescribed notice shall be published on or before the 31st day of March, 1953, once in each of two successive weeks with an interval between such publications of not less than six clear days in at least two newspapers published or circulating in the area to which the application relates and subject to proof being given before the Examiner of Private Bills of such publications.

Mr. Dunne

What does all that mean?

Question put and agreed to.