Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1925

Vol. 5 No. 11

SEANAD IN COMMITTEE. - ORDER OF BUSINESS.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

With regard to the business for Thursday, the hour at which we will take the Shannon Electricity Bill in its final stage, is a matter on which I will have to consult the Minister.

That Bill will be taken definitely on Thursday. The question is whether it shall be first in order on the Agenda, but it will be on the Agenda for the final stage on Thursday. Then there is the Arterial Drainage Bill, Report Stage. There are some Government amendments to that Bill, and also some amendments by Senator Sir Nugent Everard and Senator Barrington. The condition of Bills at present progressing through the other House is as follows:—

The Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Bill, 1925 has passed its Second Stage. It is a Bill in reference to which a Joint Committee has been appointed for a preliminary report. We need not trouble with that, because it is not the intention to put that into law this session.

Then there is the Finance Bill, 1925, which must be passed before the House rises.

There is the Beet Sugar (Subsidy) Bill, and I understand it is likely to reach its final stage to-morrow in the Dáil. In that event, although it would be a day premature, perhaps it would at the same time be convenient that we should put it on the Agenda for Thursday for Second Stage, because if it is intended that this Bill should pass before we rise we had better get to grips with it as soon as possible. It will be on the Agenda on Thursday, and if there is no objection raised by any Senator who wishes for further time we might take it.

Mr. MacLYSAGHT

I take it from that that you do not expect any meeting on Friday.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

I do not see that there will be any need to meet on Friday if we dispose of these matters on Thursday.

Then there are two Bills which deal with the Seanad elections and make certain alterations in the Constitution of a more or less formal nature, and which give the right to hold elections in anticipation of vacancies. These two Bills will come before the other House to-morrow. They are plainly urgent, and I propose to put them in on Thursday for Second Stage.

There is a Bill called the Adaptation of Charters Bill. I do not know whether it is urgent or not, but it has not passed Committee of the other House and may not reach us in time this session.

There is a short Bill dealing with the payment of members of the Oireachtas and dealing with the question of income tax. It has not yet got beyond the Second Stage, but I understand the Executive Council is anxious at present to dispose of it.

There is the Local Government (Rates on Agricultural Land) Bill, 1925, which has only passed the Second Reading, and then there is the National Health Insurance Bill which likewise only passed the Second Reading. That is the entire legislation, and I do not think there are likely to be any new Bills introduced.

Mr. GUINNESS

When is it proposed that the Seanad should adjourn?

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

I think if we form our panel on the 1st July we might then be able to rise. I do not think the Dáil will want us back. It is always unsafe to prophesy, but the present idea is that we will dispose of our business by the 1st July.

Mr. DOUGLAS

I understand that the Dáil intends to meet to fix their panel on the 8th. We might have to come back then, but it certainly will not be later than the 8th.

The Seanad adjourned at 4 p.m., until 3 p.m. on Thursday.