This is a very important motion on which I would like to say something.
Public Business. - The Marketing of Butter.
The following motion stood on the Paper in the name of Senator O'Hanlon:—
That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established for inquiring into a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is to say:
(1) the marketing of butter produced in Saorstát Eireann during the five years ended 31st December, 1929, with special reference to the effect of combined marketing on the demand for and price of butter produced in cooperative creameries, and
(2) the method of marketing butter in future which would conduce most effectively to increase the demand for butter produced in Saorstát Eireann and the price obtainable for such butter relative to the prices obtainable for other butters, without adding unduly to the cost of marketing.
Cathaoirleach
I have an amendment handed in by you, Senator.
I think it would be far more satisfactory if the Minister were here to explain to the House—he need not explain it to me —the important and the importance of this motion. I have consulted Senator O'Hanlon, who does not see his way to accept the amendment which I put down, but I think if the Minister were here he would accept it. Under these circumstances I ask that this matter be deferred until our next meeting.
Cathaoirleach
Your amendment came in rather late. I am afraid that the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, 1929, would seem to require an identical resolution in both Houses. I am not quite sure.
I appreciate that, but the importance of the amendment is such that a very trivial alteration would be necessary, and it would be very well worth the trouble of the Minister to move in the Dáil that the motion be rescinded and to move another motion with my amendment incorporated. It would involve no expense and no appreciable time.
Cathaoirleach
If it is the wish of the House I will adjourn this matter for the attendance of the Minister.
If it is the wish of the House I will not oppose the adjournment, but after all this motion comes before the House as a matter of public importance, and it is scarcely fair to have it adjourned now. If Senator Dowdall feels that if the Minister for Agriculture were present he would be inclined to accept the amendment which I am not inclined to accept and would oppose, if he feels that he is labouring under any difficulty I would not take advantage of the position created by the Minister's absence. It is only on that ground that I would be prepared to have consideration of the matter adjourned.
Cathaoirleach
I do not think I could accept the amendment now.
I think if the Minister for Agriculture were here he would accept my amendment. I really speak with an extensive and peculiar knowledge of the subject, because I have experience of these matters. I think it would be worth while, if this tribunal is to be effective, that the amendment I suggest should be incorporated in the motion. Under these circumstances I would ask that the sense of the House be taken. The adjournment would be only for a week. This is not such an urgently important matter that it could not be deferred for a week. If deferring the matter would secure a very much better report, and very much better results, I think it would be well worth while doing so.
The position of most Senators is that they do not know what is contained in Senator Dowdall's amendment, and therefore they are not in a position to say whether it is of sufficient importance to warrant a postponement or not. I presume if the motion is postponed the amendment will appear on the Order Paper for the next meeting.
Adjournment agreed to.
The Seanad adjourned at 6 p.m. until Wednesday, May 14th.