asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if Electricity Commissioners have been appointed in accordance with the "Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919"; and if no such Commissioners have been appointed, what person is exercising the functions prescribed in that Act; and under what title reference may be made to such person, or persons? Further, to ask if the definitions accorded to the expressions "authorised distributors" and "authorised undertakers" in that Act are proper definitions in the Saorstát. And finally, to ask when appropriate legislation may be expected to be introduced to take the place of the Electricity Supply and Lighting Acts and Regulations from 1882 to 1922.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ELECTRICITY COMMISSIONERS.
Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, have not been appointed in the Saorstát, the amount of work under the Act not justifying the expense of that course. The Ministries Bill, shortly to be introduced, will provide that the functions of the Electricity Commissioners are to be exercised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce pending the introduction of a Bill, which is already in draft, to codify and amend the law relating to Electricity Supply and Lighting. I am unable at present to give a precise date for the introduction of this measure. Until it becomes law the definitions of "authorised distributors" and "authorised undertakers" in the several existing Electricity Supply and Lighting Acts will remain unaltered.