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Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Sep 1934

Vol. 19 No. 7

The Adjournment.

Before you, a Chathaoirligh, make any statement with regard to the adjournment of the House, I would like to call the attention of those present to one matter of some interest, particularly having regard to the attacks made upon this House, and the proposal of the Government to abolish it. I refer to the quite remarkable record this House has set up. During the last three weeks the Seanad has had inserted in eight Bills no less than 93 amendments. Thus, the Seanad inserted in the eight Bills that came before them practically as many amendments as the Senate of the South African Parliament inserted in Bills that came before them in the ten years, 1923-1933. The details are as follows:—The Agricultural Co-operative Societies (Debentures) Bill, seven amendments; Agricultural Produce (Cereals) Bill, 16; Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Bill, 43; Tobacco Bill, two; Electricity Supply (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, two; Alcohol Bill, two; Military Service Pensions Bill, nine; Control of Manufactures Bill, 12. Total 93.

None of these amendments was of an obstructive character, and all of them are likely to be accepted by the Dáil. Practically every one of them had its origin in points raised in this House, or out of the superficial and defective manner in which these Bills were dealt with in the other House. May I make this further observation: During the month of August, when these Bills were before the other House, and what will shortly, it is to be presumed, be the only House of the Legislature, the attendance at divisions often was under 50 per cent. of the membership of that Chamber. During the last three weeks the attendance here was over 67 per cent. There is no need for me to say another word upon the record of this Chamber in these matters.

Cathaoirleach

The Dáil has been adjourned until November 14th. It is very unlikely that we would need to meet even on that date. The Seanad, therefore, stands adjourned sine die.

The Seanad adjourned at 7.5 p.m.

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