I would like if the Minister responsible after this Bill becomes an Act could be here to answer questions. The reason I ask is that there is an aspect of the Bill which could be dealt with by answer instead of by way of amendment.
Public Charitable Hospitals (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1929—Report Stage.
Cathaoirleach
You have not put down any amendment.
I thought the Minister would be here. Would it not be possible to have the Report Stage postponed?
Cathaoirleach
I do not think so.
I move:—
Section 7. To add at the end of the section a new sub-section as follows:—
"(4). Each ticket shall have clearly printed thereon a statement requesting the purchaser to notify the promoters direct in the event of their failing to acknewledge receipt of remittance."
I put down that amendment to meet a point raised by Senator O'Doherty last week. The amendment means that a receipt will be sent from the promoters for every ticket purchased. That prevents any fraud that might be perpetrated by the selling of tickets and a non-remittance of cash to the committee in charge.
I second.
I am glad that Senator Farren has made an effort to meet a point raised by our amendment, but I think the inclusion of the word "promoters" by Senator Farren does not meet the case. I suggest he should substitute therefor the "committee of management." What we were looking for in our amendment was a check on the promoters, that is, the paid officials. There is nothing in the Bill to compel a promoter to send out a receipt suggested by the amendment in Senator Farren's name, but if the committee of management receive notification from the purchasers of tickets that they have got no official receipt they can take the matter up immediately with the promoter.
I support Senator O'Doherty. I am sure it was merely by inadvertence——
Cathaoirleach
Was it by inadvertence, Senator Farren, you put down "promoters" instead of "the committee"?
No.
Cathaoirleach
Then I am afraid I cannot allow a debate on the question of altering the amendment.
The promoters of the sweep are the committee in charge of it.
Could not the Senator keep to the words of the Bill? The promoter is not defined. He is supposed to be paid by percentage. The exact words would be identical with those in Section 4: "The committee of management of such sweepstake." Keep to the same words and you have the same meaning.
I have no objection to substitute "the committee" for "promoters." I beg leave to alter the wording and delete the word "promoters" and insert in lieu thereof "the committee."
Agreed.
Amendment, as amended, put and agreed to.
I move:—
Section 9. To add at the end of the section the words "and no tickets shall be issued free, except by way of reward to a seller of tickets."
This is also to meet another amendment which was put forward last week. I consulted with those in charge of the Bill and they have agreed. This new amendment will secure what Senator Comyn wants with regard to the distribution of free tickets.
I second.
I would be glad, A Chathaoirligh, if you would give me the opportunity to correct a statement made last week on the Committee Stage. There was talk as to the extent to which the Minister approves of the form of this section. I said then that he was a member of the Committee of the Dáil which had considered the Bill, and that as a member of the committee he had approved of the form of the sections. I find now that I was thinking of another committee and that the Minister was not a member of the Committee of the Dáil which considered this Bill, but I understand that he saw the sections and approved of them. I merely wish to explain that I was in error in the statement I made last week, and I wish to express my regret for having made it.
Amendment put and agreed to.
I beg leave to withdraw amendment 3 in view of the alterations made by Senator Farren's amendment.
It seems to me it would be necessary to alter Senator Farren's first amendment.
Cathaoirleach
I am afraid we cannot do that now.
The amendment seems to me to throw on the committee responsibility for acknowledging receipts.
That is the intention. I stated definitely last week that on the face of each ticket would be printed that a receipt would be sent direct to each purchaser so as to prevent frauds.
We are not at loggerheads in that. It seems to me that we are giving power to the committee to do things through a staff that is not responsible to the Minister.
My answer to that is this, that the committee are the people who get sanction from the Minister for the running of these sweepstakes. The Minister holds these committees responsible for the action of their officials. If a committee employs a staff that staff must do the work the committee gives it.
If that is the explanation, I am quite satisfied.
By way of verbal alteration I would like to point out that the word "committee" has been used in the singular and in this case it is in the plural. "Their" must be altered to "it" as consequential on that.
Cathaoirleach
Very well, we agree with that.
Question—"That the Bill be considered on report"—put and agreed to.