I wish to announce that the Government desire that the Public Dance Halls Bill, 1934, and the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1934, be delayed until next session.
Business of Seanad.
Cathaoirleach
Until after the vacation?
Cathaoirleach
Yes.
I wish to make a protest against any postponement of these Bills as they involve the life and honour of the nation to a great extent. They have been delayed too long, and unless there is some good reason now this House should not agree to any postponement. We had amendments ready. I suggest that the Bills should be taken as on the Order Paper.
Cathaoirleach
Do you propose a motion to that effect?
I propose that the business be taken as on the Order Paper.
I second.
Cathaoirleach
Perhaps the Minister for Finance would like to say something on the matter.
I am not in a position to say anything about these Bills.
I should like to say that the life and honour of the nation does not depend on whether these Bills are passed or not. One is the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, of which there has been so much talk. I do not think it is such a great Bill as people seem to think it is, and it could very well wait until we have time to consider it in the autumn or, perhaps, coming on to Christmas. As regards the Public Dance Halls Bill, while it is a necessary measure in order to regulate dance halls it is not a measure of such terrific importance that we should run counter to the views of the Administration in matters of this kind and, perhaps, greatly hamper them in the conduct of their work. These are measures upon which the Seanad, exercising its usual good sense, can fall in with the wishes of the Government.
I agree with Senator Comyn that if the Government, after these Bills being discussed in the Dáil, would consider some further amendments, it is only right that the Seanad should give them the opportunity of doing so by postponing these Bills until the autumn.
Question put and declared lost.