I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. It presents no feature exceptional from that which was passed by the Dáil last year, save that a small number of Acts, included in the First Schedule, which had been renewed from year to year for a number of years, are now proposed to be made permanent. The Acts set out in the other Schedule are Acts whose utility is considered still to exist. If there is any question arising, with reference to any of them, I shall be happy to try and deal with them either on this stage or perhaps more properly on the next.
THE LOAN. - EXPIRING LAWS BILL, 1923—(SECOND STAGE).
I observe that among the Acts which it is proposed to continue in this manner, from year to year, is the Motor Car Act, 1903. I am not going to raise any objection at this stage, or to comment much upon this Order, but I think it is intensely undesirable, now that the Motor Car has passed out of the experimental stage it was in in 1903, that it should be regulated, in the main, first by what one would look upon as an obsolete Act, and, secondly, by an Act renewed from year to year, even though that Act, was modified by an Act of the British Parliament about three years ago. I put it to the Dáil that this year the Attorney-General should consider the question of the people interested in the motor business, and bring in an Act, not an annual Act, but some permanent Statute governing this industry and branch of our traffic. I do not want, however, the matter thrown into chaos by not passing this Act, but it is a matter that the Government should interest themselves in and take some definite steps for the future.
May I ask whether a Government measure can be introduced by a Deputy who is not a Minister of the Government?
There is nothing on the face of this Bill which shows that it is a Government measure.
I take it it comes from the Government and that it is a Government measure?
If Deputy Hall was interested in the matter he could bring in a Bill himself, to continue those expiring laws, and if he secured the Government's support that would have the effect of giving him a better place upon the Order Paper.
Question: "That the Bill be now read a second time," put and agreed to.
It is essential that this Bill should be passed before the 31st of December, and I should propose the Committee Stage for Tuesday next.
Has it to pass the Seanad before the 31st of December?
Yes, it must.
Next Tuesday would not serve then.
To-morrow, then.
Is it proposed to take a Bill of this nature, in respect of which the word "reading" is rather curiously applied because it is done by a symbol, in Committee of the whole House? Would it not be better to take it in a Special Committee where the various Statutes could be available for reference? I suggest it would be more convenient to take it in a Special Committee, rather than in a Committee of the Whole House.
The Bill is being taken in Committee of the whole Dáil, and the Committee Stage is set down for to-morrow.
Agreed.