Now, with regard to to-morrow. The change that has been rendered necessary by the requirements of the Executive have upset our list, and the way it stands is this: The Committee of Selection, who, in accordance with the resolution of the Seanad, were to suggest the names of five Senators to act as a Joint Committee with five members of the Dáil, on the question of the temporary accommodation of the Oireachtas, has made its recommendation. There is a motion put down by Senator Sigerson with reference to the cultivation and protection of oyster beds. That, I imagine, is not a very urgent matter. Another Bill, which is available, is the Coroners' Qualification Bill, 1923, to which up to the present there is only one amendment of a verbal character. It is not a Bill which will take any time. The next Bill is the Dáil Loans and Funds Bill, 1923, which has come certified as a Money Bill. It only came in a few minutes ago, and it occupied, I understand, some time in the Dáil. It might be inopportune to take it to-morrow, as members would not have an opportunity of seeing it. That list, I do not think, would occupy the Senate a half an hour. Is it desirable to call the Senate together for these matters? We might now dispose of this recommendation of the Committee on Selection. The five Senators appointed to serve as a Joint Committee with the Dáil on the question of providing temporary accommodation for the Oireachtas are:—The Chairman, Mr. Andrew Jameson, Mr. M. O'Dea, Mr. J.T. O'Farrell and Mrs. Wyse Power. If these names meet with the approval of the Seanad we could pass a resolution to that effect.
SEANAD RESUMES. - JOINT COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR THE OIREACHTAS.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
Before passing that resolution I think an explanation should be given as to why Senators selected on the last occasion are now put off the Committee.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I am afraid I do not know; I have never seen this until now.
We did not enquire who were on the previous Committee. We simply took the names on their merit.
The matter is a very important one. A Committee sat before, to enquire into this matter and the members were either competent or incompetent.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
This is a new Committee.
I think that some consideration should be given on that account. I have no wish to go on the Committee, but I think the members have been treated very unfairly.
As I was a member of the Selection Committee, may I say that we were only asked to nominate five members, whereas there were 10 on the previous Committee.
I think Senator Sir Thos. Esmonde was on the last Committee, but his name is not down here.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
If the last Committee consisted of ten, it is obvious that five members had to be dropped.
I think it is very unfair. You have already had a Committee dealing with this matter.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
If this is to be a matter of discussion, let a motion be formally moved on the next day, and we can discuss it.
I understand that they have only six weeks in which to report, so that it is a matter of some urgency.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think that the six weeks run from the date of the first meeting of the Committee. It is entirely a matter for the Seanad. It is perhaps a little irregular to take it now, and I only mentioned it as I thought it was a matter which we could get over quickly.
If I am in order, I propose that the report of the Selection Committee be approved.
I second.
I think it might satisfy Senator Fitzgerald if we knew whether those five people were on the older Committee, because we cannot put on more than five. What Senator Fitzgerald has in mind, I think, is that people who sat on the Committee of ten should have fair representation on this one.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think it is a pity I mentioned this at all, because Senator Douglas is Chairman of the Selection Committee and he knows all about this. As it is before the Seanad, however, perhaps we could get information from somebody as to how many of these five were on the previous one. I was on it, and I think Senator Jameson was on it. I see Senator Douglas is here now.
The Selection Committee were asked, in accordance with the resolution of the Seanad, to nominate five names of members to act with the Dáil Committee. As the Seanad is aware, I acted as an ex-officio Chairman of that Committee. The Committee was summoned and met to-day, and decided after a very careful amount of consideration to recommend those names. The time was too short to obtain the consent of the different members, though possibly most of them are willing to act. The position is that our instructions were to nominate five and we tried to make the five as representative as possible. The recommendations were unanimous. Owing to the instructions of the Seanad it would have been impossible for the Committee to add to the number five.
Is it not very important that the members selected should have consented to act? I do not think this matter should be rushed through.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
With regard to the question of consent, it is not likely that anyone should refuse to act, but if anyone did, we could nominate another.
If Senator O'Farrell is willing to give his consent, that of all the members would be obtained.
I intimated my consent to one of the members of the Committee.
The Committee will submit its report to the Seanad in due course, and we shall be able to form its opinion. Whatever the Committee does, does not tie the Seanad.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
This is not a Committee with plenary powers. It must come up for adoption here and in the Dáil.