I beg formally to move—"That this Bill be now read a Second Time."
Heller Citizenship Bill, 1931.—Second Stage.
I beg to second.
I gave notification that I wanted to move an objection to the consideration of this Bill by the Seanad. I make the objection at this stage because I understand that it has been laid down almost as a practice—it has been suggested by one authority as a practice—that where there is opposition taken root and branch to the principle of a Bill, it is better to move that objection on the Second Stage rather than have the promoters put to the expense of Committee proceedings only to have the same objection in principle moved at a later stage. Therefore, in the interests of the promoters as well as everybody else, I take exception to this Bill right at the start.
I will state my objections briefly. Legislation regarding the acquisition of nationality is in course of preparation. It has not yet been completed, and when it will be brought forward I cannot say. It must yield to Bills that are more urgent. There is no real urgency, no special urgency, with regard even to the general conditions for the acquisition of citizenship in this country. Until the normal procedure for acquiring citizenship in the country has been laid down, it seems to me that it is premature to pass a Bill of this sort; it would be an exception to any ordinary law.
With regard to the acquisition of citizenship, acquisition by way of Private Bill procedure is not known in every country. In the countries in which it is known, it is always regarded as something of an exception— a diversion of ordinary law to suit the interests of some individual for reasons stated. In this instance I have two objections. The first is that it is premature to establish what is an exception before the normal rules have been laid down, and the second is that no case of urgency has been made either publicly or privately with regard to this particular individual. No reason is given why, if he wants to acquire citizenship, he should move now rather than a year hence when the ordinary code will be in operation.
Seeing that we have an assurance from the Minister that a general measure dealing with citizenship is being prepared, I think it would scarcely be proper to have a special measure dealing with an individual considered, particularly as no reason for urgency has been stated. No reason has been given why this individual cannot wait for at least six or twelve months, the period necessary for the passing of the general measure. We have the distinct understanding that we are going to be presented with a general statute dealing with citizenship. It is a thing which has been too long delayed. It has been a source of great difficulty to lawyers and other people. It is a matter which, I think, ought to have been dealt with long before this. However, as we have a promise that it will be dealt with in the immediate future, I think there can be no real objection to the course suggested by the Minister.
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and declared lost.