I move the Second Stage of the Central Fund Bill. It is a Bill, the purpose of which is to authorise the Minister for Finance to issue out of the Central Fund the sums that have already been voted in the Dáil for the years ending the 31st March, 1924, and the 31st day of March, 1925, and the usual power to borrow, which is in these Bills, with the Title.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - SECOND STAGE.
Before this Bill is read a second time I should like to make my position clear, and, as I take it, the position of other Deputies. This Bill corresponds to what in another place is known as the Consolidated Fund Bill, and it is one of the comparatively few opportunities that private members have for raising general questions of policy connected with the Government. Now, I admit that in this Dáil private members have greater facilities than they have at Westminster, that we have more opportunities of raising questions. For instance, Deputy Corish's motion, which was discussed at considerable length some weeks ago, would probably have to go down as a discussion on the Consolidated Fund Bill in Westminster. I admit that. But I am not disposed to give up any particle of the rights of private members, and if I acquiesce in the taking of the Second Reading and the other Stages of this Bill to-night, I do so under protest, and submit that it should not, in future years, be regarded as a precedent: that in future years we should be given a full opportunity of discussing the First and Second Reading and the Final Stages of the Central Fund Bill. This year, I agree, circumstances have been unusual. The President has been ill; there have been various crises; there have been resignations of Ministers, and so I am not disposed to press my point to-night in opposing this Bill. But I would urge the Minister for Finance, in so far as he can in the future, to see that our acquiescence now will not prejudice next year, and that he will try to give us more time in which we may raise a general discussion.
I would not ask for any promise on the part of the Minister for Finance as to what he would do next year, or any other year, though I would say this, that, as far as I am concerned, I have accepted the procedure to-night as a matter of urgency, and I agree with what Deputy Cooper has said on the matter. In emphasis of that I would say that if a similar practice was again adopted in connection with future proceedings I would oppose it from beginning to end.
I agree with Deputy Cooper and Deputy Hewat. I agree that a repetition of this particular proceeding would be indefensible. I am ashamed that it has happened. I would be very much more ashamed if it were not for difficulties over which I really had no control.
Question: "That the Central Fund Bill, 1294, be read a second time"— put and agreed to.