Will the Minister state when it is proposed to circulate this Bill?
Housing (Amendment) Bill, 1956—First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make further and better provision with respect to housing, to amend and extend the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, 1932 to 1954, the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890 to 1954, the Labourers Acts, 1883 to 1954, and the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, 1899 to 1954, and to make provision with respect to other matters connected with the matters aforesaid.—(Minister for Local Government.)
In about a week's time.
And the Second Reading Stage?
This day two weeks.
That is, provided we get the Bill in a week.
I guarantee that there will be no short notice. Deputies will have the Bill at least a week.
A great many members of the Dáil are perturbed at the situation which has developed in regard to the housing programme, and while very anxious that this Bill should become law quickly, we are equally anxious that the House should get the greatest opportunity for discussing it. We should like to have an assurance from the Minister for Local Government that it will be taken at such a time as will enable discussion to be thorough, and completed before we are up against the tail-end of the session.
I can assure the Deputy that I will do nothing to curtail debate on the Second Reading of the Bill. It will be given to Deputies at least a week in advance of the Second Reading.
Will the Minister undertake to circulate an explanatory statement——
I gave that undertaking already.
——with specific reference to the point as to the responsibility that the Minister for Local Government will have, where it concerns financial stringencies?
The Deputy does not want an explanation of that.
Indeed we do.
The Deputy knows more about that than anybody else.
We want to know where we stand.
Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, July 4th.