Vol. 12 No. 4
Dáil Eireann has passed the following Resolution:—
That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and the Seanad be set up to consider and report on the question of the amount of the allowance which should be paid to members of Seanad Eireann;
That seven Deputies represent the Dáil on the said Joint Committee.
I move:—
That the Seanad is unable to agree that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and the Seanad be set up to consider and report on the question of the amount of the allowance which should be paid to members of Seanad Eireann, but is of opinion that the time is opportune for the reconsideration by a Joint Committee of both Houses, consisting of seven members of each House, of the general question of the remuneration of Ministers and the allowances payable to members of the Dáil and Seanad; and the concurrence of the Dáil is desired to the setting up of such a Joint Committee.
It is somewhat unfortunate, in my view, that the Standing Order regarding motions is couched in such a way as to make it necessary that a motion which may be the basis of a Message to the Dáil should be as bald and skeleton-like as this motion is. One cannot get a proper understanding, I think, of the spirit in which this motion was put down by reading it as it stands on the Order Paper. It is quite a misconception to imagine that in putting down the motion in this form I was animated by any idea of a tit for tat, as suggested. My intention is that the Message should not be in the nature of a reply churlish, or a counter-check quarrelsome, but rather of the retort courteous, and I think the circumstances are such, that this is the most appropriate occasion that is likely to arise for a considerable time, when the question which was discussed in the early days of 1923 should be reconsidered. I do not want to enter into any argument as to the merits of the case for a change of any kind in the remuneration of Ministers, or the allowances to Senators or Deputies, but I do want to make the case that the time is opportune for reconsideration in the light of the experience of the past seven years. I have already given a little indication of what is in my own mind regarding this matter, and I do not intend to repeat that, but I think, when we remember that what is now embodied in the Statute governing these matters was the result of consideration, in the rather hectic days of 1922-23, and at a time when nobody knew what would be the calls upon Senators, Deputies or Ministers, or what the circumstances would be, or what was a fitting sum to allocate for these respective purposes, the time is opportune for reconsideration of this question, without prejudice. I do not even want to refer to the circumstances in which this matter has come before us, and I am far from imagining that there should be anything in the nature of a dispute between the two Houses. I sincerely put this point: That the matter, having been raised, it provides an opportune occasion for a full reconsideration of the question, in the light of the experience of the last six or seven years, and it is solely with that view, and without any controversial idea in my mind, that I move the motion.
I second.
I will put the motion.
I do not oppose this motion. I expected some slightly fuller information and explanation for the reasons for tabling it than we have had from the proposer.
I am sorry to interrupt, but I gave everybody an opportunity of speaking. By the Standing Order the Senator is not entitled to speak once the motion is put.
I am sorry.
