In the absence of the Minister for Home Affairs, I move that this Bill be read a second time. This matter was debated to a considerable extent last year, and I suppose that most of the Deputies are familiar with the arguments. We feel that this arrangement in regard to Summer Time is of substantial benefit to large numbers of people in the country, and that it is of particular benefit to towns, and to the dwellers in towns. For instance, in the City of Dublin, and in some other of our Irish cities, we have very large numbers of the population living under deplorable housing conditions. We feel that this particular arrangement proposed under the Summer Time Bill enables them, during part of the year, to be out a good deal more in the open-air than they would be if the Bill were not passed. We think that this is a measure that is good for the health of the community, and that it is, consequently, good in other respects as well. We think that the passing of this Bill is the only way in which you can confer the benefits I have referred to on large numbers of the population. You cannot confer the same benefits by some sort of a voluntary arrangement, because that would require the cooperation of too many people. We feel, too, that this Bill will not do any damage to any section in the community, because those who do not require the benefit of this arrangement can easily ignore it. They need not alter their ordinary lives or make any change, because they can ignore it, whereas the people who would benefit by the arrangement could not bring it about voluntarily. Most countries have adopted this arrangement, and even in countries where last year there was first a defeat of the Bill, it had afterwards to be brought forward again and adopted. I do not know whether or not there will be any opposition to the measure, or whether, as it was threshed out very fully previously, the Dáil will be inclined to hold to the opinion that it then held. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - SUMMER TIME BILL, 1924.—SECOND STAGE.
When this Bill was passed last year we had the same kind of explanation from the Minister in charge of it, as we have just now listened to from the Minister for Finance. There is one question in connection with the Bill that I would like to ask. It has relation to the hours during which licensed premises may remain open. The Minister has just told us that the Bill will not be a compulsory measure, that anyone who wishes to avail of the Summer Time regulations can do so, and that those who do not want to make a change in their ordinary lives, will not be compelled to do so. I would like to know from the Minister if licensed premises will only be allowed to keep open during the hours as set out in this Bill, or can they keep open according to old time. The Minister also said that this Bill would afford great relief to people living under deplorable housing conditions, and would enable them to get more of the open air. In my opinion, the majority of the people have too much open air at the present time.
Our attitude towards this Bill is just the same as it was last year. I spoke on the measure at great length twelve months ago, and put forward a great many arguments against the passing of such a measure. I do not think there is much use in repeating these arguments again, for our attitude towards the Bill is just the same now as it was twelve months ago.
Tá.
- Richard H. Beamish.
- Earnán de Blaghd.
- Séamus Breathnach.
- Seán Buitléir.
- Seoirse de Bhulbh.
- Séamus de Burca.
- John J. Cole.
- Sir James Craig.
- Louis J. D'Alton.
- Máighréad Ní Choileáin Bean Uí Dhrisceóil.
- Patrick J. Egan.
- Darrell Figgis.
- Desmond Fitzgerald.
- John Good.
- John Hennigan.
- Seosamh Mac Giolla Bhrighde.
- Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh.
- Tomás Mac Eoin.
- Pádraig Mac Fadáin.
- Risteárd Mac Fheorais.
- Patrick McGilligan.
- Seoirse Mac Niocaill.
- Seosamh Mag Craith.
- John T. Nolan.
- Peadar O hAoda.
- Mícheál O hAonghusa.
- Ailfrid O Broin.
- Seán O Bruadair.
- Próinsias O Cathail.
- Aodh O Cinnéidigh.
- Tomás O Conaill.
- Séamus O Cruadhlaoich.
- Aodh O Cúlacháin.
- Liam O Daimhín.
- Eoghan O Dochartaigh.
- Séamus N. O Dóláin. Peadar S. O Dubhghaill.
- Pádraig O Dubhthaigh.
- Eamon S. O Dúgáin.
- Seán O Laidhin.
- Aindriú O Láimhín.
- Séamus O Leadáin.
- Pádraig O Máille.
- Risteárd O Maolchatha.
- Domhnall O Muirgheasa.
- Séamus O Murchadha.
- Pádraig O hOgáin (Gaillimh).
- Seán M. O Súilleabháin.
- Caoimhghín O hUigín.
- Seán Priomhdhail.
- W.A. Redmond.
- Liam Thrift.
Níl.
- Pádraig F. Baxter.
- John Conlan.
- Seán de Faoite.
- Connor Hogan.
- Séamus Mac Cosgair.
- Risteárd Mac Liam.
- Patrick McKenna.
- James Sproule Myles.
- Seán O Duinnin.
- Donchadh S. O Guaire.
- Mícheál O hIfearnáin.
- Domhnall O Mocháin.
- Pádraig O hOgáin (An Clár).