In page 2, line 20, it is proposed to delete the word "THEREFORE." As the position of the Government has been made quite clear in regard to this Bill and as it has been clearly put to the House, and, I think, accepted, that it is absolutely ad hoc, that we are creating no precedent for the future and that its sole purpose is to legalise what we believe to be a position which is not legal at the moment, the Government have agreed and decided, in conformity with their approach generally to this whole question, to delete the word “THEREFORE” in page 2, line 20.
Presidential Elections (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1959—Committee and Final Stages.
I accept that the proposals in the amendment are quite satisfactory to meet our immediate difficulty and I am satisfied that the Bill can pass.
Deletion agreed to.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2
Question proposed: "That Section 2 stand part of the Bill."
On sub-section (3) of Section 2, I should like to say this, lest there may be any confusion. My information is that some of these election addresses have already been presented at post offices other than the post office in Dublin. While they have not yet been sent out, I think the declaration may already have have been made under the regulations then in existence and which this Bill would materially alter. To get around to changing these regulations would take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, we are putting in this sub-section in order that the regulations may read in accordance with what we are now doing.
That is all right. In fact, some have already been delivered.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 3 agreed to.
PREAMBLE.
I move:—
That the recitals be deleted.
Agreed.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported with amendments, received for final consideration and passed.
The Dáil adjourned at 12.40 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 2nd June, 1959.