I understand the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs has a short statement to make to the House.
STATEMENT OF THE MINISTER FOR POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS.
CATHAOIRLEACH
A Bill which I hope will pass its final Stages in the Dáil this evening is about to be presented to this House, and I understand there is a probability that you may not meet again before January. In that case it would be of very great inconvenience to my Department should this particular Bill be deferred. The Bill is practically entirely concerned with the collection of licence fees. The existing law is not sufficient to enable us to proceed and get people,"by the neck," so to speak, to pay their money. In consequence we have no money, and the Minister for Finance says we must do without it. In the absence of money we find it impossible to extend our programes. The people cannot wait for the extension, which, in my view, is long overdue. Any delay in the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas will relegate that extension back to the month of February. I do not like to face a prospect of that kind, particularly if there is a way of getting out. The Bill is in no way contentious. Not a single amendment was moved in the other House. As a matter of fact, no one spoke on it. It was taken for granted. Everyone recognised it contained a minimum provision necessary for the extension of our business. I should be grateful if the Seanad facilitated its passage within the next few days.
CATHAOIRLEACH
This Bill only corrects certain flaws in the previous Act. There is practically no new legislation.
No, practically no new legislation.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I understand it was passed without amendment.
Yes, without even discussion.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I think, in view of the Minister's statement the House might meet to-morrow for the purpose of discussing this Bill. If it were a Bill likely to provoke controversy I should not ask the House to take it. If, when Senators see it to-morrow, any valid objection is taken to it, in any quarter of the House, I shall not ask the House to take it. If we get copies of the Bill to-morrow before we meet. and if no member of the House sees any objection to it, we might accommodate the Minister by putting it through all its stages. If no member finds any fault, we will put it through, but I will not go beyond that. Is that the wish of the House?
Agreed.