I move:—"That the Electoral (Seanad Elections) Bill, 1925, be received for final consideration."
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COMBINED PURCHASING) BILL, 1925. - ELECTORAL (SEANAD ELECTIONS) BILL, 1925—REPORT.
Question put, and agreed to.
I move:—"That the provisions of Standing Order 88, as to the giving of notice for the taking of the Fifth Stage of a Bill, be suspended to permit of the Fifth Stage of the Electoral (Seanad Elections) Bill, 1925, being taken to-day."
Question put, and agreed to.
I move:—"That the Bill do now pass."
I would like to ask the Minister for Justice to elucidate the situation in which we find ourselves with regard to the Seanad elections. In the Official Report of last Friday's debate on page 1375, the President is reported as having stated: "the dates that appear to be most suitable are the 17th August for the completion of the panel, and the 17th December for the election," while immediately afterwards Deputy Johnson is calling attention to a September election, so that there appears to be some error in the Report. I would like to know what the last word of the Government is. The present situation is that we have passed a resolution in Committee stating that the panel is to be completed on the 6th July and the election of our portion of the panel on the 9th July. No notice has been given to Deputies of any Government amendment of any kind whatever. I do not know where other Deputies are, but I do not feel that I know where I am in the least.
I think unquestionably the President meant, whatever he said, the 17th of September for the elections, not the 17th December, as appears to be reported.
And on what date do we complete our panel? Is it still to be the 9th July?
I am not quite sure that the date is finally fixed, but I think it is to be the 9th. I heard the President mention the possibility of an alteration, but I think the 9th stands.
We are placed in rather an unfair position, because the nomination papers are not yet available, and now we are told that there is a possibility of an alteration. Surely, if this resolution is coming up on Report to-morrow, the Executive Council ought to have made up their minds by now. If the nominations are to be in on the 6th July, we shall have very little time to get the necessary certificate before the 6th July if we do not get the papers until to-morrow or the day after.
Of course I am not suggesting a change. I mean, the Deputy speaks as if he were opposing a change of date.
Oh, no, I am not.
I am not proposing a change of date; I mentioned that I had heard some question of the possibility of it, but it would be open to the Deputy to make his objection if any such suggestion were made.
I do not object to a change of date; I want a change of date and an extension of time, but I should like a pledge on the subject.
Question put and agreed to.