PRIVATE BUSINESS. - MOTION FOR RETURNS.
I move:—
That there be laid before the Dáil a Return showing with regard to Questions to Ministers and with reference to the period 19th September, 1923, to date,
(a) the total number of questions asked;
(b) the number of questions addressed to each Minister.
These returns will cover the period from the 19th September, 1923, to date. Would it not be desirable to have these returns absolutely complete and not exclude, perhaps, two or three days' sittings? The same applies to all returns.
I am sure it would be possible to include the final day's proceedings under the heading of this motion.
To whom will the returns be presented?
The return, in fact, will not be presented; it will be presented in dummy on the last day of the proceedings of this Dáil. It will then be got out up to that date and include that date, so that it will be complete. This is a Return that ought, in fact, be made at the end of every Session.
Will it be circulated to outgoing members?
Would it be possible, at this stage, to move an amendment to the motion? I believe that the names of the Deputies asking the questions should also be included in the returns.
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered: That there be laid before the Dáil a Return showing with reference to the period 19th September, 1923, to date,
(a) the total number of days and hours on which the Dáil sat;
(b) the number of hours devoted to the consideration of Estimates for Public Services in Committee on Finance and on Report; and of consequential proposals for legislation;
(c) the number of hours devoted to the consideration of proposed Financial Resolution in Committee on Finance, and on Report; and of consequential proposals for legislation.—(Mr. Dolan.)
Ordered: That there be laid before the Dáil in respect of the period 19th September, 1923, to date, a Return of the number of Public Bills, distinguishing Government from other Bills, introduced into the Dáil or brought from the Seanad, showing the number which became Acts, the number which were passed by the Dáil but not by the Seanad,; the number passed by the Seanad but not by the Dáil; and distinguishing the Stages at which such Bills as did not become Acts were withdrawn or postponed or rejected in either House.—(Mr. Dolan.)
Ordered: That the Standing Orders relative to public business be reprinted. —(Mr. Dolan.)
Ordered: That there be laid before the Dáil a Return showing with reference to the period 19th September, 1923, to date, the number of Committees appointed; the subjects of inquiry; the names of the Deputies appointed to serve on each; and of the Chairman of each; the number of days each Committee met, and also the total number of Deputies who served on Committees. —(Mr. Dolan.)
Ordered: That there be laid before the Dáil a Return showing with reference to the period 19th September, 1923, to date, the number of Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, and Provisional Order Confirmation Bills initiated in the Dáil, and Bills brought from the Seanad, and of Acts passed, classed according to subject; of the opposed and unopposed Private Bills and Hybrid Bills, and the opposed Provisional Order Confirmation Bills which have been reported on by Committees appointed to consider such Bills, together with the names of the Deputies who served on each Committee, the first and also the last day of the sitting of each Committee, the the number of days on which each Committee sat, the number of days each Bill was under consideration in Committee, the Bills the preambles of which were reported to have been proved, the Bills the preambles of which were reported to have been not proved, and in the case of Provisional Order Confirmation Bills whether the Provisional Orders ought or ought not to be confirmed; and of the number of Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, and Provisional Order Confirmation Bills withdrawn or not proceeded with by the parties, those Bills being specified which have been referred to Committees, and dropped during the sittings of the Committee.— (Mr. Dolan.)
