I move:—
That Dáil Éireann hereby approves the Summer Time Order, 1964, made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice under the Summer Time Act, 1925 (No. 8 of 1925), and the Justice (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order, 1964 (S.I. No. 248 of 1964).
This Order fixes the period of Summer Time for the next three years as follows:
1965: from the 21st March to the 24th October,
1966: from the 20th March to the 23rd October, and
1967: from the 19th March to the 29th October.
These are the periods fixed by the British Government for Britain and Northern Ireland and it is usual for us to synchronise our time with theirs.
Even if this Order were not made, we would have Summer Time, but it would be for a shorter period. The effect of the Order is to extend the normal period by six weeks in 1965—three weeks in spring and three in autumn— and by seven weeks in 1966 and 1967— four in spring and three in autumn.
If the Order were not made, we would be one hour behind Britain and the Six Counties for those few weeks in the spring and autumn, while our time would be the same as theirs during the rest of the year. This would lead to confusion and serious difficulties for postal, telegraph and transport services. Accordingly, I ask the House to approve of this Order.