With regard to the next item on the agenda, the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Bill, 1925, I have to communicate to the House a Message from the Dáil. I want to point out that this Message deals with a Bill, the title of which is, "Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Bill, 1925." It is a Bill of a highly technical character and it deals with the questions of patent law and copyright. The purport of the Message is that the Dáil asks the concurrence of this House in the appointment of a Joint Committee of seven members of the Dáil and seven members of the Seanad, with power to send for persons, papers, and records for the purpose of considering and making recommendations in regard to this Bill. You will understand that this does not commit the Bill to a Joint Committee, but it means taking part with the other House in a preliminary Joint Committee which will go into the whole question without prejudice to the subsequent Committee Stages in both Houses. It will go into the question in a preliminary way and make a report to both Houses.
SEANAD RESUMES. - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY (PROTECTION) BILL, 1925.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I beg to move:—
"That the Seanad concur with the Dáil in this Resolution and in its suggestion for the appointment of a Joint Committee and that the Selection Committee be empowered to nominate seven members to this Joint Committee."
I think it is obvious to anyone who has read this Bill, which has been circulated for some time, that it is one of the most technical Bills presented to the Oireachtas. I think the course proposed by the Dáil is an exceedingly wise one.
I beg to second the motion.
Motion put and agreed to.