I think I ought to read the following communication which I have had from the Executive Council. It reads as follows, and is addressed to the Clerk of the Seanad:—
There are five Bills at present before the Oireachtas which, in view of the Easter Recess, are urgent. They are as follows:—
(1) The "Police Forces Amalgamation Bill." The Report Stage of this Bill has been passed in the Seanad. The Bill has to come back to the Dáil to deal with the one amendment inserted in Committee Stage. It is necessary that this Bill become operative from the beginning of the financial year, and consequently the Minister for Justice is anxious that it should become law not later than 2nd proximo. I understand the Seanad is meeting on 25th inst, and if the Final Stage is concluded on that date, and the Bill returned to the Dáil in time to enable the Dáil to deal with the matter on the same day, we will be able to just keep to this programme.
(2) The "Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill," which it is essential should become law on 31st instant, as the previous Acts expire on that day. This Bill has passed the Second Reading in the Seanad, and I trust that the Seanad will find it possible to deal with all the remaining stages and to pass an Emergency Resolution before the 31st instant. An Emergency Resolution is required because even if all the stages were passed in the Seanad on 25th instant, there would not be sufficient time to allow the seven days provided under Article 47 of the Constitution to run.
(3) "Firearms (Temporary Provisions) (Continuance) Bill." This Bill has not yet passed its Committee Stage in the Dáil, but we intend to complete all stages on the 25th instant. The present Firearms Bill expires on the 4th April, and we hope the Seanad will facilitate us by putting this Bill through on the 27th instant. It is merely a continuing Bill to regulate the possession of firearms until certain permanent legislation can be fully considered.
(4) "Summer Time Bill," which passed through all its stages in the Dáil on the 18th inst., should become law about the 8th April, and we would be much obliged if the Seanad could finish it before the Easter Recess.
(5) "Dail Eireann Courts (Winding-up) Bill," which passed its Second Reading in the Seanad on 18th March, must be law before 30th April, as that is the date fixed for the transfer of functions. This means that it must be passed by both Houses on 22nd April. The only urgency of this arises from the fact that the Seanad will probably not be meeting between the 3rd April and 21st April, and in order to prevent disappointment it would be well if all the stages were finished before the adjournment.
Of course I should also mention that the "Central Fund Bill" will be going up to the Seanad probably at the end of this week. This will provide for the Vote on Account for the Services for 1925-26.
I shall be much obliged if you will mention these matters to the Cathaoirleach, and convey the Government's request that he will facilitate them in dealing with the Bills mentioned.