This, I think the Minister will agree, is one of the worst examples we have seen in a short Bill of legislation by reference. It should certainly not happen in the case of a Bill in respect of which there is no question of having to go back over a long series of old Acts. There is no excuse for legislation by reference. We should go over to the Scandinavian principle as soon as we possibly can of having Acts dealt with on almost a looseleaf principle so that where there are perhaps four or five Acts such as this, they will be made available in a Consolidation Act instead of our having this type of legislation by reference.
Committee on Finance. - Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Bill, 1964: Committee Stage.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
Generally speaking, I would agree with the Deputy but it might mean a very long Bill if it were done in that way.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 3 agreed to.
SECTION 4.
Question proposed: "That section 4 stand part of the Bill."
This would not be operative if the Dáil had to meet outside this building owing to the builder's operations.
I am afraid not.
That possibility will hardly arise.
Question put and agreed to.
SECTION 5.
Question proposed: "That section 5 stand part of the Bill."
Does the Minister propose to make regulations in the immediate future?
During the recess. There are certain restrictive provisions in the Act so it might be administratively more convenient and not cost any more to do it in another way.
It might cost less in certain circumstances.
Yes.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 6 and 7 agreed to.
SECTION 8.
Question proposed: "That section 8 stand part of the Bill."
What was the previous figure?
£3,500. It is a ten per cent increase.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 9 to 11, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Report Stage ordered for Tuesday, 23rd June, 1964.