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Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jul 1969

Vol. 66 No. 17

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1969: Motion for Early Signature.

I move:

That, pursuant to subsection 2º of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concur with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1969 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

As the Seanad is aware the provisions of section 3 of the Bill, which will give effect to the increases in rates of unemployment assistance, are due to come into operation on 30th July, 1969, and it is necessary that the Bill should become law before that date. This will enable payments of unemployment assistance at the new rates to be effective from that date.

Because of the dissolution of the 18th Dáil and the subsequent general election the Bill could not be brought before the Seanad earlier than today in order to ask the President to comply with the regulations of the Constitution in the normal way. The Government therefore have decided to ask the Seanad in accordance with Article 25. 2. 2º of the Constitution to agree to the President being requested to sign the Bill and thus bring it into effect on a date earlier than that on which he would normally be obliged to sign it.

I was wondering will it be referred back to the Dáil again. The Leader of the House has mentioned that because the Dáil has adjourned it has been found necessary to bring this before the Seanad under Article 25. 2. 2º of the Constitution. On many occasions on which we have discussed such matters, it was pointed out that they would have to go back to the Dáil for ratification. Is there anything unusual in this case which makes it unnecessary to go back to the Dáil before the Bill is signed by the President?

No question arises on this matter.

Question put and agreed to.
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