A message was sent by the Minister in charge of this Bill to the Clerk of the Seanad asking him to inform me, so that I might inform the House, that he thought it possible, in view of certain information he had received, that other amendments would become essential in this Bill. He thought, however, that was a matter that would have to form the subject of some days' delay before he could ascertain the facts. He asked the Clerk to ask me to suggest to the House that they would consult his wishes in the matter and allow the further consideration of the Report Stage to be postponed, because if we concluded the Report Stage to-day there would be difficulty in inserting amendments on the final stages, and it would be better if there were new amendments that the House should know something about them and that they should be taken on the Report Stage. I directed the Minister to be asked, as a matter of greater courtesy to the House, to attend here and make the application himself to the House. He has not done so——
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY (PROTECTION) BILL, 1926—REPORT (RESUMED).
CATHAOIRLEACH
Might I say in reference to that, the Minister has communicated to me and asked me to state to the House that he would be here but for circumstances that made his absence absolutely unavoidable.
CATHAOIRLEACH
That is what I thought. I was not making any complaint.
I suppose the new amendments will be circulated to the House.
CATHAOIRLEACH
That is the object of adjourning the Report Stage. The Minister knows and appreciates that the House will want to see the amendments before they are discussed and not to have them thrust into their hands and asked to consider them on the spot.
There is practically only one. It is a matter of very great importance and does require a very considerable amount of investigation.
CATHAOIRLEACH
That is all the more reason that Senators should have it in their hands in time.
Perhaps there may be more than one amendment because I give notice that I will ask to have the Bill re-committeed in respect of clauses 154 and 155.
CATHAOIRLEACH
You will want to put down a motion to that effect. The Clerk will tell you when the new amendments are to appear. I cannot fix the day for the further consideration of the Report Stage because it will depend upon the investigation the Minister is making; but when it is fixed I will direct the Clerk to communicate with you. You will not be shut out.