Staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Bill, 1959—from the Seanad.

The Dáil went into committee to consider amendments from the Seanad.

Minister for Finance (Dr. Ryan)

I move that the Committee agree with the Seanad in amendment No. 1:

NEW SECTION.

Before section 10 a new section inserted as follows:—

"Every person who immediately before the passing of this Act was either a member of the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas (within the meaning of subsection (1) of section 1 of the Regulation Act, as originally enacted) or an officer of the Houses of the Oireachtas (within the meaning of subsection (1) of section 1 of the Regulation Act, as originally enacted) shall on the passing of this Act become and be a member of the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas and shall be deemed to have been appointed under this Act to a position corresponding to that held by him immediately before such passing."

I am asking the House to accept this amendment.

Mr. Sweetman

When are we going to take it?

Dr. Ryan

Now, if the Deputy has no objection.

Mr. Sweetman

I am quite agreeable but I remember the Taoiseach on one occasion gave me a little lesson on Standing Orders and I am just returning the lesson to the Taoiseach's colleague.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy has his rights.

Dr. Ryan

If the Deputy follows the Taoiseach, he will be following good example.

Mr. Sweetman

Will the Minister explain the amendments to us?

Dr. Ryan

It is very simple. This amendment was accepted by the Seanad because certain doubts were raised with regard to the rights of the Librarian and Assistant Librarian to continuity of employment. They, as the House is aware, are officers at the moment but will cease to be officers when the new Bill comes in. The Seanad were afraid that Section 10 did not exactly cover them and to remove any doubt this has been put in.

Section 10 deleted.

Amendment reported and agreed to.

Ordered: That a message be sent to the Seanad accordingly.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Dec 1959