Vol. 39 No. 7
I move amendment No. 1:—
In page 2, Section 1, between lines 42 and 43, to insert the following definition:—
"the expression ‘municipal authorities' means the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland."
I would like to know if the House is prepared to accept amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 or if Senator Hayes has considered the matter. It would save time if he would inform the House now.
I consulted the Chairman of the Dáil Committee on this matter, who brought it to the Dáil Committee. They considered this and thought that representation from the Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council and the General Council of County Councils—which, by the way, was an afterthought—was quite sufficient. On the whole, I think that all the local bodies are properly catered for, that the committee is well balanced and that there is no necessity to add to it. I know it is not a vital point, but perhaps Senator Fitzsimons will agree that there is adequate representation for all local bodies and that we should see how the committee as it came from the other House would work. I would ask Senator Fitzsimons not to press these amendments.
I understand that Senator Hayes, who is piloting this Bill here, does not deem it wise to accept my amendment. The whole of provincial and rural Ireland is not getting adequate representation on the Meath Hospital Committee. Two people—leaving out the City and County of Dublin—from the remainder of the Twenty-Six Counties are not adequate. I think this was a just request. Now that Senator Hayes is piloting this Bill, I wonder if he would consider giving four members to the General Council of County Councils— one from Connaught, one from the three Ulster counties of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal, one from Munster and one from Leinster. I am not particular as to whether the four are from the General Council of County Councils or the municipal authorities' association, but I think two are not fair to the remainder of the Twenty-Six Counties when you have Dublin City and County represented.
The hospital is, in the main, for Dublin City and County. I do not think there is any necessity for all-State representation. The two representatives already are sufficient. To tell the truth, I would like also to facilitate the passage of the Bill through the other House, by making as little change as possible. In my opinion, the representation from the Dublin City Council, the Dublin Corporation and the General Council of County Councils is quite sufficient. I doubt that the people would be anxious to come to Dublin.
I move amendment No. 4, standing in the name of Senator Quirke:—
In page 5, Section 11 (5), line 38, to delete the words "In the first election year".
Amendment altered, by leave, so as to delete also, in lines 44 to 46, all the words "the hospital corporation members shall be elected by vote of the persons qualified to vote at the election and".
This Meath Hospital Bill has put us into unique positions. May I be permitted to read Senator Quirke's amendment as altered now? It will make the whole sub-section read as follows:—
"The hospital corporation members shall be elected on the proportional representation system by postal vote of the persons qualified to vote at the election. In the first election year the election shall be conducted and carried out by a person appointed for the purpose by the Dublin City Manager in accordance with the rules made by the Dublin City Manager; in any election year (other than the first election year) the election shall be conducted and carried out by a person appointed for the purpose by the joint committee in accordance with rules made by the joint committee."
The first election is left to the Dublin City Manager and thereafter subsequent elections are left to the joint committee, which will make rules for the conduct of the elections.
What is the effect of the amendment? Are you going to alter it by making every election a postal election?
No; this applies only to the corporation members. After the first election, "the election shall be conducted and carried out by a person appointed for the purpose by the joint committee in accordance with rules made by the joint committee."
It is a matter upon which the Seanad can congratulate itself that we were able to discuss this Bill without a single harsh word being spoken or without any reflection being made on any individual and without getting ourselves into the various difficult tangles which arose in connection with this matter in the other House. It has been stated that the only matter at issue was the interests of the patients. The Dáil Committee did a very good job on this Bill and worked in a very good spirit indeed. I think that I am expressing the views of everybody in this House when I express the hope that this very unique combination of effort will enable the hospital to continue the work it has been doing for 200 years past. The Meath Hospital is an old building. It is now being modernised. We should remember that slick, modern efficiency is not the only thing necessary in a hospital. There is also need for harmony, kindliness and self sacrifice—attributes which Irish doctors and Irish hospitals have never lacked. We are hopeful that this Bill will enable the Meath Hospital to continue the good work it has been doing in the interests of the patients and the poor.
We may have the Central Fund Bill next Wednesday.
The Seanad will not meet to-morrow?
No.
The Seanad adjourned at 9.15 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 14th March, 1951.
