As Senators are aware, the Expiring Laws Bill is an annual measure. The Acts which it is proposed to carry on for another year were explained in the memorandum circulated to members of the House with copies of the Bill. Therefore, I think that there is no necessity for me to deal with them in detail. Senators will have noticed that, from year to year, the number of Acts included in the Expiring Laws Bill is getting smaller. As provision is made to continue in permanent legislation such portions of these Acts as are required, the list will get even smaller.
Expiring Laws Bill, 1945—Second and Subsequent Stages.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time".
Question put and agreed to.
Agreed to take the Committee Stage now.
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Schedule be the Schedule to the Bill".
Can the Minister give any indication as to when he expects to be in a position to deal with the Labourers Acts in comprehensive form?
The note which I have got from the Department of Local Government and Public Health is as follows:—
"As regards the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1883, the position is somewhat anomalous, but to make the Act permanent after 62 years would require more justification than its continuance as a temporary Act for a further period. It is not opportune at present to promote a new measure to replace it, but the first suitable opportunity will be taken to review the position. In the meantime, the Act must be continued, as it is the basis of the Labourers Act code."
I agree that the Acts must be continued, but it would be a good thing if they were consolidated. I suppose we could say that of a great many Acts.
Schedule agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Agreed to take the next stage now.
Bill received for final consideration.
Agreed to take the Final Stage now.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
Bill ordered to be returned to the Dáil.