In the case of this Bill if we are to proceed with it now it is necessary that the Standing Orders should be suspended. This Bill was only received by the Senators last night. As Senators are aware, under the Standing Orders, there should be three clear days between the time when the Bill is in the hands of the Senators and its consideration here.
EXPIRING LAWS BILL, 1925—SECOND STAGE.
I move that the Standing Orders be suspended.
Am I entitled to say anything on this motion now?
Not on the motion for the suspension of the Standing Orders.
By what Standing Order is the Senator prevented from speaking on the motion?
All I wanted to say was this, that if there is urgency in this matter, I think it should have been foreseen and it could have been in our hands a week or two ago. Up to the present I think we have been too ready to suspend Standing Orders on the general grounds of urgency, and without adequate time for the discussion which should have been given to the various measures which have come before us.
It is quite in the competence of the Seanad to suspend the Standing Orders, and it is quite in their competence not to suspend them. It is a matter entirely for the Seanad itself.
Under the circumstances, I will not oppose the suspension of the Standing Orders.
Question—" That the Standing Orders be suspended "—put and agreed to.
I might say that the Bill this year contains no enactment that was not included in last year's Act. It is, so far as it goes, practically the same as last year's Act, with two exceptions, namely, that two particular enactments are not included, the Licensing Act of 1923 and the Land Drainage Act of 1914. These were replaced by the permanent legislation passed by the Oireachtas this year.
Question—" That the Expiring Laws Bill, 1925, be read a Second Time"— put and agreed to.
If the Seanad is willing, all the stages of the Bill can be taken now.
Question—"That the Standing Orders be suspended so as to permit of the remaining stages of the Bill being taken now"—put and agreed to.