I raised a matter on Second Reading to which the Minister did not reply. What we are proposing to do in this piece of legislation is to change the method of assessing means of smallholders in respect of unemployment assistance and a new provision is put into section 8. There is, however, provision in section 9 by means of which the Minister may, in any individual case, decide that the old system of assessment is to apply. This seems to be an extraordinarily wide power. There seems to be no means of appealing against the Minister's decision. It seems a completely arbitrary decision. He may decide, in an individual case, that a person who has applied for unemployment assistance is to have his means assessed on the old system and not on the new one. This seems a power we should not grant unless there are good reasons for doing so and I should be glad to know why the Minister thinks it is necessary to have this power.
Committee on Finance. - Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1965: Committee and Final Stages.
I think it is obvious that, in certain cases, people on a holding of small valuation could carry on specialised activity which could clearly put them outside the class of person whom it is intended to cover by the Unemployment Assistance Acts. I know a case myself—admittedly, it is not in the congested districts—of a person on a holding of small valuation who is in quite a big way of business and, in fact, employs a number of men. It is clearly desirable, in the case of specialised activity such as that, that the Minister should have——
Such a person would not be applying for unemployment assistance.
He could.
And he would get it in the congested districts.
This section may be operated only after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture. It is intended to apply only to people like that who are engaged in intensive production of that kind which would clearly put them outside——
Surely there is appeal in respect of most of the Minister's decisions?
This would be operated only after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture. Obviously, it would happen only in a case where it is quite clear that the person concerned is not a person who would come within the scope of unemployment assistance.
I understood that I was to be called at 12 midnight and that I would conclude not later than 12.30 a.m. I am wondering what the situation now is.
The Minister for Local Government will be called after we dispose of the Bill before the House.
I understood that——
This may not be until after 12.30 a.m.
The Minister will be called immediately this Bill is concluded.
Just to get the matter quite clear, if this goes on until 12.30 a.m. there is no point in calling on anybody at that stage because I understand that the Order of the House is to adjourn then. I understood I was to be called not later than 12 midnight.
If the Minister gets the Second Stage of his Bill——
I should like to make a suggestion.
We have already gone beyond our time so far as the Bill at present before the House is concerned and there should be no further discussion in order that we may carry out the Order made by the House.
I wish to make a suggestion. I am not concerned with Orders that are apparently shoved through here for the discussion of a Housing Bill at this late hour of the night——
The House has agreed to the Order and the Deputy is not in order.
I did not agree to it and I have the same rights here as anyone else. I have rights the very same as some——
The Deputy is not in order.
What about the Cork city boundary Bill which was shoved through the Seanad when the Senators from Cork were over here in the Dáil?
Section 10.
We are on section 9. I had it in mind to ask a question.
Deputy Corry will resume his seat.
The Deputy will not.
The Deputy should then leave the House.
The Deputy will not leave the House.
Deputy M. P. Murphy.
On section 9, I understood that the main intention behind this section was to ensure that smallholders would work their land to its full capacity as it was felt by the Department that some landowners were not doing so in case it would mitigate against their case for unemployment assistance. We are now told that if smallholders develop their holdings and work them in such a way that——
On a point of order.
The Minister for Local Government, on a point of order.
Do I get in, as per the Order of the House, or do I not? This is the question. The time is running out.
The Minister for Local Government is wasting the time with all his points of order.
I would point out to Deputy M. P. Murphy that we have already overrun the time allocated for this Bill.
This is a very important matter which I wish to raise on section 9.
It may be important but the Order of the House is also important. I am now putting section 9 to the House.
I object to section 13 being passed.
The Deputy's objection will be noted.
On that question, I want to say——
I am objecting to the passing of the Bill. I am calling for a division on the Bill. I said I am objecting to the passing of the Bill.
You are not here.