I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to prohibit the creation of ground rents and to provide for the extinction of existing ground rents.
Ground Rents (Prohibition and Extinction) Bill, 1961—First Stage.
I regret that I must oppose the Bill. I am in the process of setting up a commission, under the chairmanship of Judge Conroy, to enquire into the very matters with which the Bill is concerned.
The debate goes on to Private Members' Time.
I take it the Bill will be circulated. Is that the position?
Are the Government opposing the introduction of the Bill?
Yes.
I want to get clear. Are they opposing the First Reading?
Yes.
The Bill is being opposed.
I want to protest against that. This is a piece of dictatorship. Surely I am entitled to bring in a Bill and have it discussed?
When the Bill is opposed, the Bill goes back to Private Members' Time.
On a point of order, is the mover of the Bill not entitled to divide the House on the First Reading of the Bill if it is opposed? If so, is he not entitled to divide the House now?
No, not now.
Am I entitled to say what this Bill is for?
Would I not be entitled to give the House the reasons for the Bill?
Standing Orders provide that where a Private Member's Bill is opposed, it goes back to Private Members' Time.
I want to say——
I cannot allow the Deputy to make a statement.
This commission is a long-finger exercise designed to prolong the determination of this question. That is very obvious and I want to protest very strongly.
What is the significance of the Ceann Comhairle saying that, now that it is opposed, it goes back to Private Members' Time? Whether opposed or not, it goes into Private Members' Time.
The Bill may be debated in Private Members' Time.
Is it not a fact that recently in this House similar action was taken by the Government in connection with another Bill and a division was challenged in this House and that, apart from that, it goes into Private Members' Time irrespective of whether it is opposed in the House or not?
A Deputy is entitled to a decision of the House in regard to a First Reading.
He is, in Private Members' Time. It goes back to Private Members' Time. Standing Order No. 25 is quite specific on the matter.
Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle would oblige us by reading it?
The relevant portion is:
Should motions of Private Members for leave to introduce Bills, or for returns, be opposed, the debate thereon shall be adjourned to the next day on which Private Members' Business is to be taken.
In that case it is taken as the first business on Wednesday next or taken immediately after the conclusion of the business already under discussion?
Taken in the order of Private Members' Time.
What is the order?
Is it the First Stage that is debated in Private Members' Time or the Second Stage?
Leave to introduce.
Leave to introduce is adjourned until Private Members' Time?
Is not the effect simply to prevent the introduction of the Bill?
When the time comes, when the Bill is before the House, we will state the reasons for our objection.
Would the Ceann Comhairle enlighten us—is it taken as the first business next Wednesday or taken as the first business after the conclusion of the business now under discussion ?
Does the Deputy mean the business now being discussed?
There is a motion, the debate on which is half way through. Is it taken at the end of that motion or taken automatically at 9 o'clock?
Taken at the end of the motion now being discussed.