Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 1928

Vol. 10 No. 34

PRIVATE BUSINESS. - APPROPRIATION BILL—FINAL STAGES.

Mr. DOUGLAS

I beg to move:—

"That the Standing Orders be suspended for the purpose of enabling the remaining stages of the Appropriation Bill, 1928 to be taken to-day."

This motion was put down on the assumption that we were probably not to have a meeting to-morrow. If there is any desire on the part of the House to discuss the Appropriation Bill to-morrow, I would certainly be prepared to withdraw this motion. But I understand that there is real urgency that the Bill should pass this week. Might I say that if the Bill does not pass this week certain difficulties will arise, that is to say, if it is left over until next week.

Motion agreed to.

The Seanad went into Committee.

The Bill passed through Committee without amendment.

The Seanad went out of Committee.

The Bill reported without amendment.

CATHAOIRLEACH

The question is: "That the Bill be received for final consideration and do now pass."

Colonel MOORE

I want to call attention to Schedule B, Part 2. There are some comments I want to make. May I say a few words?

CATHAOIRLEACH

Yes.

Colonel MOORE

I am glad to see that the Minister has felt the criticisms levelled at him down the country, and I expect he will feel more of them later on. He did wave aside what I said about the Local Loans being part of the National Debt. And when he was speaking he said he was not replying to me. He was replying to me but he would not like to admit that he was replying to me. On his part, it was a little bit of pride, I suppose. However, as a matter of fact, by the repeal or cancellation of Article 5 of the Treaty, the Saorstát was relieved from any portion of the National Debt. I think the Minister himself will hardly go so far as to deny that. What is part of the National Debt is another question. The National Debt is described in the Act of 1920; in the Schedule to that Act the details are laid down and one of the things in the Schedule is that the Irish Local Loans Fund is part of the National Debt.

CATHAOIRLEACH

Are you leading up to a question that you want to put to the Minister?

Colonel MOORE

I am leading up by my statement to a question which he could answer, and I hope he will kindly answer it.

CATHAOIRLEACH

I thought you exhausted your category of questions. The Minister tried to answer them. Now is this a new question?

Colonel MOORE

This is the Committee Stage.

CATHAOIRLEACH

We passed the Committee Stage long ago.

Colonel MOORE

You passed on very fast.

CATHAOIRLEACH

We are on the final Stage now. I even put the schedule and the title separately. You are a long way out of date. However, if you want to ask another question you may.

Colonel MOORE

I do not want to ask any question from the Minister because he did not want to answer me. The reason is because he cannot.

CATHAOIRLEACH

That is probably so.

Colonel MOORE

I want to point out that this money, the Local Loans, is part of the National Debt, and is so stated in the 1920 Act, and therefore ought not be paid for.

Question put and agreed to.