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Select Committee on Social Affairs debate -
Thursday, 24 Nov 1994

Business of Select Committee.

Clerk to the Committee

The first business of the committee is the election of a temporary Chairman. May I have nominations for temporary Chairman?

I propose Deputy Bell.

Clerk to the Committee

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I wish to inform the committee that the Committee of Selection has discharged Deputy Cullen from this select committee and has appointed Deputy Quill in substitution. We are sorry to lose Deputy Cullen but I welcome Deputy Quill.

I was given notice that Deputy McGrath wishes to have clarification on a matter relating to the committee.

Can the Chair clarify the legality of this committee proceeding while we have a caretaker Government? Can we legally proceed with the Committee Stages of these Bills which have far reaching consequences and will, no doubt, come up for mention in the courts?

I sought advice in anticipation of this matter arising and the fact that there is a caretaker Government in place does not affect, from a procedural or legal point of view, the processing through the Committee Stage of these Bills by this committee. An order of the Dáil referred the Bill to the committee. Perhaps the Minister would like to comment.

I thank the Chair for making the arrangements and I thank my colleagues for coming on short notice to assist us on what is, as Deputy McGrath says, a quite exceptional measure. The authority of the Dáil and the constitutional right to proceed are not really in question. However, the Government is obliged to continue to do what is necessary in the national interest, which includes proceeding with this Bill.

If that is satisfactory we will proceed.

Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Bill, 1994: Committee Stage (Resumed).

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