Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1925

Vol. 13 No. 21

SHOP HOURS (DRAPERY TRADES) BILL.

Mr. RODDY

I beg to move the adoption of the Interim Report of the Special Committee to consider the Shop Hours (Drapery Trades, Dublin and Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 1925. The Report is:—

1. Tháinig an Coiste le chéile Dé Céadaoin, 16 Mí na Nodlag, 1925.	1. The Committee met on Wednesday, 16th December, 1925.
2. Do cinneadh ar a iarraidh ar an Dáil comhachta an Choiste do leathnú i dtreo go mbeadh ar a chumas fios do chur ar dhaoine, ar pháipéirí agus ar bhreacacháin, agus fianaise do ghlaca ar nithe a bhaineann leis an mBille.	2. It was decided to ask the Dáil to extend the powers of the Committee so as to enable it to send for persons, papers and records and to take evidence on matters relating to the Bill.
(Sighnighthe),
	MÁIRTÍN O RODAIGH,
16 Mí na Nodlag, 1925.	Cathaoirleach an Choiste.

Major COOPER

I beg to second.

Mr. LYONS

In the absence of Dr. Hennessy, I would like to ask whether any specified time is to be given to the Committee to bring in its report, or is the Committee to be empowered to continue its sittings, if it wishes, for a year or eighteen months? This Bill got an overwhelming majority in its favour in the Dáil, but the Committee now says that it requires more evidence and wants papers and records. It would, therefore, be able to hold up this Bill and prevent it becoming an Act for a long time.

Mr. RODDY

On behalf of the Committee, I desire to say that before the 15th February we would, we think, be able to obtain all the necessary evidence for our purpose.

Mr. LYONS

It was hoped that the original Bill before the Dáil would become law by the 1st January, but now it is proposed to hold it back until February. I do not mind when the Bill becomes law, but what I want to know is whether the Committee can hold up business, in favour of which there was an overwhelming majority in the Dáil. I do not think that a committee of eleven should have power to hold up a Bill which the Dáil was practically unanimous in adopting. I will be satisfied if a guarantee is given by the Chairman of the Committee, who asks for this report to be agreed to, that he will have all the evidence necessary by the 16th February and that he will then be in a position to bring the Bill before the Dáil.

Mr. JOHNSON

It would be impossible, in my opinion, for the Chairman to give such a guarantee. The Standing Orders set forth that measures brought in by private Deputies shall go to a committee. Should a Bill introduced by a private Deputy pass its Second Reading it shall, without question, go to a committee. Deputy Lyons has no grievance there. If he wished the Bill to be retained in the House he should have persuaded the Government to bring it in. The Committee is in duty bound to examine the measure in all its aspects, its implications and possible consequences, and it is impossible for the Chairman to give a guarantee, on behalf of the Committee, as to the time when they will be finished with the Bill. I do not anticipate any prolonged inquiry, but it is impossible to give the guarantee asked for.

Major COOPER

I agree with Deputy Johnson that it would be very rash to give a guarantee, as we might have to come to the Dáil and ask for more time. Deputy Lyons talks about holding up the Bill for twelve months. It is really only for a month. The fact is that many of us are doing too much work. Deputy Johnson is Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, and is also on the Committee of Procedure and Privileges, as well as on this Committee. I am also on the Public Accounts Committee and I believe that I have been appointed on the SubCommittee to revise Standing Orders, and, I understand, my name has been put forward in connection with the Committee on Prices, and I am also on this Committee. Does Deputy Lyons think that this measure is of such importance to the whole Saorstát that it should take precedence over everything else in order that it may be reported in a fortnight? Nobody could give a binding pledge on such a matter. No one knows what further evidence it may be necessary to take. I anticipate that, with reasonable luck, we ought to be able to send the Bill back to the Dáil within a month of the resumption of the sitting. I would be no party to try, by obstruction in Committee, to hold up any measure, and I should object to it as strongly as Deputy Lyons. The Committee could not pledge themselves definitely, as they might have to ask for further time. I think Deputy Roddy could take a motion by Deputy Lyons for the Committee to report by the 15th February. We could then come in and make our case and it would be open to Deputy Lyons and Dr. Hennessy to state their objections.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

I think I can make this matter clear. Standing Order 62, which deals with motions for the appointment of special committees, says:

"Such motion shall, save as otherwise provided in these Standing Orders, specifically state the terms of reference to the committees, define the powers devolved upon them, nominate the members to act upon them, state the quorum in each case, and, if necessary, fix a date upon which they shall report back to the Dáil."

Mr. JOHNSON

Does that refer to Committees on Bills?

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

I think so. I think it refers to all special committees. At any rate the Dáil, having appointed a special committee on this Bill can fix a date, whether under this Standing Order or generally. The Committee has asked for power to send for persons, papers, and records, and if Deputy Lyons agrees to move and if the Chairman of the Committee accepts a motion to the effect that the Committee shall report back to the Dáil by the 16th February, which will be a Tuesday, it will ensure that on the 16th February the Chairman of the Committee must come to the Dáil and make a report, if they have concluded their business, or ask for more time. It would ensure that, roughly, within a month after the resumption after Christmas, the matter would be again before the Dáil, either on report or on request for further time.

Mr. LYONS

I propose: "That the Committee on the Shop Hours Bill report to the Dáil on 16th February."

Mr. RODDY

I can ensure Deputy Lyons that, so far as I am concerned, I am anxious to finish this business at the earliest possible date, and I hope to do so before the 16th February.

Ordered—"That the Committee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records."—(Deputy Roddy.)

Ordered—"That the Committee report to the Dáil not later than the 16th February."—(Deputy Lyons.)