Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jul 1924

Vol. 3 No. 16

SEANAD IN COMMITTEE. - ELECTRICITY ORDERS.

Mr. DOUGLAS

I move:—

Go gceaduítear an t-Ordú Speisialta a dhin an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála fé sna Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 go 1919, agus fén Ordú um Choimisinéirí an Leictreachais (Aistriú Feidhmeanna), 1924, i dtaobh Baile-Cheanntair Dhúrlas Eile i gContae Thiobrad Arann, Ordú a tíolacadh Déardaoin, 17adh Iúl, 1924.

That the special order made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 to 1919, and the Electricity Commissioners (Transfer of Functions) Order, 1924, in respect of the Urban District of Thurles, in the County of Tipperary, which was presented on Thursday, 17th July, 1924, be approved.

I understand that under those Acts, quoted in the resolution, it is possible that the powers given under the Electricity Commissioners (Transfer of Functions) Order, 1924, give power to the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Electricity Acts to make an Order empowering local districts and other bodies to create an electrical supply in their districts. It is because an Order has been made under those Acts by the Minister that I propose this resolution. I understand it is urgent in the matter of Thurles, because a certain amount of employment would have been given but for the delay. I may mention that I am informed that in this Order and in the other Orders, concerning which I have further resolutions to move, the provision has been inserted that if any central or national supply shall take place these towns will be obliged to take electricity from the national supply providing that it is given at a cost not exceeding that at which it is able to be made locally. None of those orders will be taken in any way as interfering with any national scheme that might possibly take place in the future.

Mrs. WYSE POWER

I second the Motion.

Mr. GUINNESS

On looking casually through this Order I cannot see anything in it in connection with the matter the Senator mentioned, that in case the Shannon scheme went through this would have to be merged in the larger scheme.

Motion put, and agreed to.

Mr. DOUGLAS

I move:—

Go gceaduítear an t-Ordú Speisialta a dhin an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála fé sna Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 go 1919, agus fén Ordú um Choimisinéirí an Leictreachais (Aistriú Feidhmeanna), 1924, i dtaobh Baile-Cheanntair na Carraige Duibhe, i gContae Bhaile Atha Cliath, Ordú a tíolacadh Déardaoin, 17adh Iúl, 1924.

That the special order made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 to 1919, and the Electricity Commissioners (Transfer of Functions) Order, 1924, in respect of the Urban District of Blackrock, in the County of Dublin, which was presented on Thursday, 17th July, 1924, be approved.

I understand that this order is somewhat different in its character to the last, owing to the fact that it is really the extension of an order obtained by the Blackrock Urban District Council in 1921, through the British Parliament. While they do not intend at the present time to carry out the order, it is considered by the Minister for Industry and Commerce that the order should be maintained in force because if it was allowed to lapse it would mean a very considerable expense to the ratepayers of that district if they had to seek powers again later on. That is the case for the order.

Mrs. COSTELLOE

I beg to second the motion.

Mr. BARRINGTON

Before the Seanad expresses its approval of this order, I should like to be assured by the Minister that a provision similar to that contained in clause 9 of the Thurles order will be inserted.

Mr. DOUGLAS

It has been inserted in all the three.

Mr. BARRINGTON

You said that this was an enlargement of the order previously made.

Mr. DOUGLAS

My opinion is that in this case and in the other two cases similar provision has been made.

Motion put and agreed to.

Mr. DOUGLAS

I move:—

Go gceaduítear an t-Ordú Speisialta a dhin an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála fén sna Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 go 1919, agus fén Ordú um Choimisinéirí an Leictreachais (Aistriú Feidhmeanna), 1924, i dtaobh Baile-Cheanntair Chill Mhanntáin, i gContae Chill Mhanntáin, Ordú a tíolacadh Déardaoin, 17adh Iúl, 1924.

That the special order made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Electricity Supply Acts, 1882 to 1919, and the Electricity Commissioners (Transfer of Functions) Order, 1924, in respect of the Urban District of Wicklow, in the County of Wicklow, which was presented on Thursday, 17th July, 1924, be approved.

This is a matter of a private electricity supply.

Mr. CUMMINS

I beg to second the motion.

Motion put and agreed to.