I move:—
"That the Bill be considered on Report."
Private Business. - Bank of Ireland Bill, 1929—Report Stage.
Leas-Chathaoirleach
I formally object to the motion.
Cathaoirleach
Then the Bill will appear on the Order Paper for the next day the House meets.
When the Bill was referred to a Committee a special resolution was passed, I think on a motion of Senator Milroy, asking that it should be treated as an opposed Bill, although nominally it is an unopposed Bill, in order that we should have the shorthand notes of the proceedings before the Committee. These shorthand notes have not yet been circulated amongst Senators, and I would like to ask that they should be circulated before the Bill comes up again.
Cathaoirleach
It is not customary to circulate the minutes of evidence, but they are available, and any Senator can inspect them by applying at the Examiner's office.
I must say that I do not see how I am to discuss or to vote on this Bill when I have not seen a copy of it. I have not seen the comments of the Committee, and I do not know anything about the Bill. I do not think it is fair that an opposed Bill of this kind should be passed without Senators being informed on such matters.
Cathaoirleach
The usual procedure is that Senators can get a copy of the Bill by applying at the Examiner's office. It is generally taken that any Senator who has a particular interest in a Bill will get a copy of it. The minutes of evidence are available for inspection but unless an Order is made by the House for laying them on the Table they are not circulated amongst the members.
Does that apply to copies of the original charter and to Acts amending the charter?
Cathaoirleach
I do not think so. I think all these matters can be raised later.
Before the debate I think it would be helpful to members of the House if they had an opportunity of seeing the original charter and Acts amending it.
Cathaoirleach
I am afraid I could not undertake to get you a copy of the charter. I daresay the Committee that was dealing with the matter saw it, but I do not know.
The Bill proposes to alter the charter, and it seems to me unreasonable that members of this House should be asked to pass the Bill without having an opportunity of seeing what they are amending.
Cathaoirleach
The charter may be inspected in the Examiner's office by any Senator who desires to do so. Perhaps that will do.
That will suit me. It is extremely hard to get it.
Apart from the charter, where a difficulty might arise, it must be remembered that most of the other Private Bills have been unopposed. No one wanted to see the evidence, because there was not sufficient interest taken in them, but in a serious affair of this kind Senators would like to have the information.
There is something in what Senator Moore has said. If it is the desire of the House to have further information, a motion can be moved that the evidence given before the Committee be printed and laid on the Table of the House. Of course, that would be done at the public expense. If it is the desire of the House the evidence can be printed and laid on the Table.
Cathaoirleach
Will that be of any greater advantage to Senators than going to the Examiner's office and seeing it there?
From my experience one would want to live in the Examiner's Office for at least a week or two in order to examine the charter properly and to see its implications in view of the changes. I think it is not fair to ask intelligent people to consider amendments to the charter without having adequate facilities for such examination. We are only stepping in the dark.
Cathaoirleach
The Examiner is very agreeable, and he will allow you to stay as long as you wish.
I think that copies of the Standing Orders relating to Private Business should be circulated to all members of the Seanad. You have to apply for them. It seems rather undignified for this House to have only a few spare copies of the Standing Orders available in the Examiner's Office. I think that at least a copy should be handed to every Senator.
Cathaoirleach
If you will allow me I will consider that and see what can be done.
Perhaps you could also get a few copies of the charter made instead of being confined to one.
Cathaoirleach
I cannot answer as to that. I will do what I can.