There are one or two Bills in the Schedule to which I would like to direct a little attention. Deputy Cooper already touched upon the Motor Car Act of 1903. I should like to ask the Ministers if they would tell us something in respect to the Corrupt Practices (Commission Expenses) Act. I agree there is a certain limitation in that, but I would draw the attention of Ministers to the necessity of legislation which would amend this present Act with a view to simplifying, and cheapening the procedure in regard to election petitions. One would hope that the necessity for election petitions would not continue. The necessity has been obvious in recent times, but the expense is quite sufficient to make the Act of little effect. But if we are to have corrupt practices, then the means of upsetting elections which have been accomplished by corrupt practices, that is, by election petitions, and the expenses of such petitions, should be lessened. The Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916, deals with statistics, and Sections 13, 21 and 23, I think, have to do with modifying the requirements of the Department in regard to the provisions of returns and statistics. I think it is probable that with our circumstances the requirements of the original Act, modified by this Act, impose too great an obligation, and the statistics needed for our purposes are, perhaps, not as great as the original Act, as amended by that Act, requires.
EXPIRING LAWS BILL, 1925—THIRD STAGE.
I can only say that I have noted what Deputy Johnson said. The question of corrupt practices at elections probably does require further legislation. At any rate, I think it was felt, following our recent election, that every possible avenue of improper practices was not stopped completely. It may be that you can deal more fully with the matter. The Local Government Department, I think, recognises that at present the statistics provided are hardly sufficient, but as Deputies are aware, a great many changes have been introduced into the machinery of Local Government in recent years and further changes are to be expected following the report of the Commission on Poor Law. I think when changes have been decided on and new machinery set in order, there will be agreement that fuller information should be provided than at present.
I move:—
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Go gcuirtar ar fionnraoi forálacha Buan-Orduithe 86 agus 88, i dtaobh fógra do thabhairt chun Ceathrú Céim agus Cúigiú Céim Bhille do thogaint, chun go gceadófar Ceathrú Céim agus Cúigiú Céim an Bhille um Dhlithe atá ag dul in Eug, 1925, do thógaint iniu. |
That the provisions of Standing Orders 86 and 88 as to the giving of notice for the taking of the Fourth and Fifth Stages of a Bill be suspended to permit of the Fourth and Fifth Stages of the Expiring Laws Bill, 1925, being taken to-day. |
I would like, sir, that this Bill should go to the Seanad to-morrow.
I move:—"That the Bill be received for final consideration."
I move:—"That the Bill do now pass."
I move:—
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Go gcuirtar ar fionnraoi forálacha Buan-Ordú 88 i dtaobh fógra do thabhairt chun Cúigiú Céim Bhille do thógaint, chun go gceadófar Cúigiú Céim an Bhille Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1925, do thógaint iniu. |
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 Courts of Justice Bill, 1925, being taken to-day. |
I move:—"That the Bill do now pass."