I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. There are two main features in this Bill. The first feature of the Bill is to provide for the postponement of the local elections of county councils, borough councils and other local authorities to 1950. The second feature of the Bill is to make preparation for the holding of the local elections in the Counties of Dublin and Kerry this year. Provision is also made for giving effect to the recommendations of a recent inquiry under which certain powers will be conferred on the citizens of Tramore. Accordingly, provision is made in the Bill to give effect to them. There are certain other minor provisions dealing with vocational committees and similar bodies. These are not of very considerable importance. They are more or less routine and generally follow on a Bill of this kind.
Coming then to the main provisions of the Bill, I think it will be agreed that it is undesirable that the Dáil elections and local elections should take place in the same year. For that reason it is proposed to postpone the local elections until 1950. The question may be asked why not defer them until 1949. The purpose is to avoid a clash with the Dáil elections. Having regard to what is the normal life of the Dáil, Deputies will understand that 1950 is the most appropriate year for the holding of local elections once the principle of holding both elections in a different year is accepted.
The second feature of the Bill then deals with the holding of the elections in the counties of Kerry and Dublin. It seems to me essential that these elections should be held at the earliest possible date because of the fact that the local affairs of these counties have been administered over a very considerable period by commissioners. In my judgment, and in the judgment of the Government, that is not a policy that ought to be pursued unduly. For that reason it is proposed to hold the local elections in these counties this year at the latest possible date, having regard to all the circumstances, in order to give a maximum interval between the holding of the Dáil elections, which took place in February last, and the date on which the local elections will be held in those particular counties.
Certain consequences arise from the election of the county council in Dublin. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1945, the Rathdown and Balrothery Boards of Assistance will be elected at the first meeting of the council. In the case of the Dublin Board of Assistance the position is somewhat different. It is, I think, generally known that the services dealing with this board will, in the early future, undergo a considerable reorganisation. The matter is at present being dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Health. He is actively engaged in preparing a scheme for the reorganisation of health services generally with particular reference to the institution responsible for the administration of the Dublin Board of Assistance. The remaining functions of the board in connection with home assistance are supervised by the Minister for Social Welfare. I have discussed this matter with my colleague, the Minister for Health, and he assures me that plans for the reorganisation of the institution and of all the services connected with it are being rapidly drawn up and that in all probability special legislation will be required in the near future in connection with the matter. It would, I think, be undesirable therefore to provide for the election of a board that might have to give way in a short time to some alternative.
I do not think that there are any other special features arising under this Bill that call for any comment from me at this stage. If any questions arise, however, I shall be prepared to deal with them before the debate closes.