I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill is one which requires to be passed before the end of the calendar year. There has been a document circulated to Deputies giving an explanation of the expiring laws that require to be extended now. The Bill proposes to continue for a further year the enactments that appear on Parts I and II of the Schedule to the Expiring Laws Act, 1939. It is the intention to replace by permanent legislation two temporary Acts which appear on the Schedule, the Poor Relief (Dublin) Act, 1929, and the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923. The enactment of the Public Assistance Act, 1939, has made it possible to dispense with the renewal from year to year of the Poor Relief Act, 1929, but the superseding Act has not yet been put into operation, pending the passing into law of the general Local Government Bill, 1940, which, if enacted, will replace and supersede the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923. A permanent measure repealing the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1929, has also been enacted, but as it may not be possible owing to the emergency to bring this Act into operation before 1st January, 1941, it is thought necessary to continue the temporary Act.
Expiring Laws Bill, 1940—Second and Subsequent Stages.
Question put and agreed to.
When will the Committee Stage be taken?
If the House has no objection to passing the other stages now, I should be glad to get them through.
There is no objection.
Bill put through Committee without amendment, received for final consideration, and passed.