The last Stage of this Bill gives me the opportunity to say one or two words. The Bill has had a great deal of attention. It is right that I should repeat now what I said on its introduction, that it had its origin in and was prepared by the Society of Architects. It has been altered and amended in its passage through the Seanad, but it is right and proper that the body primarily responsible should get whatever credit is due. The future of the Bill lies with the Minister for Local Government. When it goes to the Dáil one cannot say with any confidence what is going to happen. It may proceed quickly or it may not be accepted at all. It is obviously a kind of Bill which must be supported and amended at the suggestion of the Department responsible. I would like to say that whatever may be the result of the Bill as a Town Planning Bill that the clauses in it which deals with rural amenities, and by which it is intended to give power to local authorities to preserve the amenities of their localities, whether included in a town planning scheme or not, should be made law in one form or another at an early stage. If it is found that the Bill as a whole cannot be passed I think that the clauses dealing with these local amenities should find their way on to the statute book. I can only express that hope. The Bill has attracted public attention to town planning and the preservation of rural amenities.
Town Planning and Rural Amenities Bill, 1929—Fifth Stage.
I would like to have the opportunity of having an understanding as between the Seanad and myself on the subject-matter of this Bill, as one or two of the objects of the Town Planning Bill may be very important. The proper carrying out of any town planning would throw a considerable amount of responsibility on the Department of Local Government, and the local authorities would be called on to examine the situation and deal with it from a town planning point of view. Senator Johnson and the Chairman of the Select Committee have both been given to understand from me what my attitude to this measure would be on its passage through the Seanad. As the Seanad knows, I have been unable to be present during the discussions on the measure while passing through the Seanad. The Bill deals with an important subject. It has been engaging the attention of the Department with a view to comprehensive town planning measures. A number of important measures have been dealt with in the Department. It seemed right that the Dublin Bill and the Traffic Bill should be dealt with first and the Town Planning Bill subsequently. The Department has not had time to give full and complete examination to the whole situation. I propose, when the Bill comes before the Dáil, to ask for the postponement of its Second Reading for six months. I am anxious that Government time be given to the discussion of this measure. I think we can take this measure, and, with certain alterations, make it the basis of the legislation we will pass for town planning. I see no reason at present, after a somewhat careful examination of the Bill, for saying it would be necessary to take up any other course.
I am anxious that the Bill should be thoroughly examined. I do not want to go into a discussion on it now, but the discussions that have take place in the Seanad will help us later on. Assuming I was ready to introduce amendments to this particular Bill, I do not say that Government time would be available between this and the summer, and there would be no prospect of getting Private Members' time for it, for there are five Bills by Private Members awaiting consideration. I would ask for a postponement of this Bill for six months, and at the end of that time the measure could be dealt with, preferably by amendments. At any rate, we will deal comprehensively with the Town Planning Bill. I appreciate that there were certain minor matters that might be passed through quickly dealing with rural amenities. Our intention is to deal with town planning and rural amenities, and I would like to have an understanding with the Seanad as to the most satisfactory way of dealing with this measure. The Department will be very much involved in it, and the local authorities will be also. We want to give it the fullest possible Departmental consideration.
I appreciate the statement by the Minister, as far as I can speak the views of the Seanad on this matter. We could not expect a Bill of this kind to be rushed through without considerable delay. If the Minister can give us an assurance that the matter will be dealt with seriously in six months' time that is as much as we can reasonably expect.