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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Feb 1924

Vol. 6 No. 20

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTORS REGISTRATION BILL, 1923.—

Amendment from Seanad:— To add at the end of Section 2 the following: "Provided always that nothing in this Section or in any existing enactment shall entitle a person to be registered as a Local Government elector for any year in which the rates for which he or she is legally liable on the 31st of March immediately preceding the 15th November are unpaid."

We are, I take it, in a little difficulty in the event of an amendment coming from the Seanad which does not commend itself to the Minister. I should say that the normal procedure, until we arrive at some settled method, is that this would be moved, the Minister saying that he could not subscribe to it; but in order to put the matter in such a position as that the Dáil could debate it, I am prepared to move that this amendment be accepted, making it perfectly clear at the same time, that I do not subscribe to it, that I cannot recommend it, and that I am not going to vote for it. I think, in deference to the Seanad, when they send down an amendment it should be moved. I am moving it, therefore, for the purpose of having it definitely turned down by the Dáil.

Is the President moving that we agree or disagree with this amendment?

The position is this: We have not got a Government nominee in the Seanad. This morning I got the permission of the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Seanad in his position as such, apart from his personality as Senator Douglas, to do this. In reference to Government amendments in the Seanad, I think it is due to the Seanad that when they send down an amendment it should be put forward here for discussion before the Dáil. I accordingly move it. I am not recommending it, and I would speak against it if it is recommended.

Lest there should be some misunderstanding about that, I wish to say that not only is it due to them that this should be done, but under the Constitution the amendment must be considered.

I am still in the dark. What is the motion? Merely that we take this into consideration or that we agree or disagree with it?

I would not accept a motion that we take it into consideration. It must be either that we accept or reject it.

I move that we reject it. So long as it is before the Dáil, that is all I want. I think it is unnecessary to explain the reasons, because they have been explained before.

I thought the President proposed that it be accepted.

The position is that the President is moving that this amendment be not agreed to.

In order to have it discussed, I thought the best thing would be to move it formally, saying at the same time that I would not support it. Now, the Ceann Comhairle says it is open to move that the amendment be not agreed to, and I have moved that.

Question: "That the amendment from the Seanad be not agreed to"— put and agreed to.

A message will be sent to the Seanad accordingly.

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