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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Monday, 18 Dec 1922

Vol. 1 No. 4

ADAPTATION OF ENACTMENTS BILL.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

The next business on the Agenda is the Adaptation of Enactments Bill, which has been sent up from the other House. I had intended to suggest to the Senate that in view of the technical nature of these Bills, both of which are very urgent, and deal with matters which require prompt and immediate attention, and at the same time are of a complicated and technical character—having regard to the position in which we find ourselves, that a proper and a graceful act on the part of the Seanad would be to allow these two Bills to go through without discussion. The members of the Seanad are not in a position to discuss them. For myself, I only saw them for the first time about an hour ago, and I expect the members of the Seanad are in the same position. They are technical matters that really do not directly concern this House, and they are at the same time matters of procedure which require, as I have said, immediate legislation in order to enable the machinery of the Government to be carried on. I therefore suggest to the Seanad that, having regard to the emergency connected with these Bills, it would be a gracious act on our part to suspend the Standing Orders and put these two Bills through without delay. I find, however, that we cannot yet do that with the first one, the Adaptation of Enactments Bill, because I have just received an intimation that the Government wish to make one amendment in it, and as we will have to meet again on Wednesday probably the wisest course to adopt with regard to that Bill would be to adjourn its consideration until Wednesday, when the Minister will be present and will move his amendment. If that is the wish of the Seanad then we can pass on from that first Bill.

Then, Sir, the thing to do would be to move that consideration of the Adaptation of Enactments Bill be adjourned until Wednesday next. Of course, if the Government really wanted to make any amendment in this Bill all they had to do was to send up their amendment, and somebody here could be put on to this matter for them. However, that is a matter for themselves.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

Do you think that, having regard to the fact that we propose to pass these two particular Bills through without amendment, save in so far as the Government may wish them to be amended, would it not be a simpler course to suspend the Standing Orders in respect of both of them, and pass them through without amendment or discussion, save in so far as the Government amendment applies? I think it a more businesslike proposition than to go through the formality of a First and Second Reading and a Report Stage.

Could you tell us to what clause of the Bill the amendment applies?

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

I do not know. It will be purely a formal matter, because it is some defect the Government has found in one clause. We may pass it over, because the Government may come in a little later and move their amendment. I only mention Wednesday because they may require us to meet again on that day.

Then, Sir, I take it that the Adaptation of Enactments Bill is adjourned?

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

The other Bill cannot take effect or be considered until the Adaptation of Enactments Bill is passed; so that if we adjourn one we have got to adjourn both. I have sent over to find out if it could be possible for any Minister to attend here this afternoon. We could then get the amendment and move it. If it is the wish of the Seanad we will pass over the consideration of these two Bills on the Agenda for the moment. The next business is a motion by Senator Moore.

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