I beg to move:—"That the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, 1924, be read a second time." This is only a very short Bill and I do not think that I have anything to add to what I said in introducing it. The object of the Bill is to keep in force the various county schemes that came into operation under the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Bill. Under Section 6 of that Act, if this Amending Bill is not passed those various county schemes will cease to have legal sanction after the 31st March. Therefore it is necessary that this Bill be passed as soon as possible. I would have asked the Dáil to pass it through its various stages to-day as it is an urgent matter. but as there is another amendment to the Bill I do not propose to take that course at present.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - LOCAL GOVERNMENT (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1924—SECOND STAGE.
I beg to second the motion.
On a point of information, will this Bill be extended only to the 31st December, 1924, or is it the intention to carry it on to the 31st March, the end of the financial year, so that it will make it easier for the accounts and estimates of local bodies to be prepared?
It is intended only to continue it until the 31st December.
Will not that make it inconvenient for the preparation of the estimates of local bodies?
It will bring it into line with the main measure, the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, and that is the object of this Bill.
Question: "That the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, 1924, be read a second time," put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Friday, 16th inst.
I understand that the Minister for Defence is to make a statement on the adjournment regarding the military situation.
at this stage resumed the Chair.