The next business on the Order Paper is a message from the Dáil in reference to the communication that was sent to it on the 11th June, intimating to them the resolution that was passed on the motion of Senator Douglas. To that a reply has been received from the Dáil stating "That in the opinion of the Dáil the object intended by the Dáil in the Resolution of the 11th February, 1925, would not be achieved by the Resolution adopted by the Seanad on the 12th June, 1925, and that a message to this effect be sent to the Seanad." Are you moving any motion, Senator Douglas?
MATRIMONIAL MATTERS. - MESSAGE FROM THE DAIL.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I do not think that the onus in this case lies on me.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
That is what I thought.
It was a message from the Seanad.
I formally move "That this House concur with the message from the Dáil."
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
There is nothing with which to concur.
I wish to add to that that if necessary the resolution adopted on the 12th June be rescinded.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I will take that if you wish, but how does the necessity for that arise, seeing that the Dáil has refused to act upon it?
They did not agree. Then I move that the resolution passed by this House on the 12th June be rescinded.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think you would have to give notice of that. Senator. That is rather an unusual form of notice. I am not saying that it may not be in order; I would like an opportunity of considering it, but it is rather unusual that when the House has passed a resolution and no action has been taken on it, the same House should rescind it.
What action has been taken in the other House?
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
They refused to take action on it.
They did not agree with it.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
They have not accepted it and there is an end to it.
The situation cannot remain in that stage for ever.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think it can.
If you do not accept it to-day, I will have to give notice that the resolution of 12th June be rescinded.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I will take it from you, but I will have to look into it to see that it is in order. It is probably, but it is such a novel form of resolution that I do not like to say offhand that it is in order. As it is the first resolution you have brought forward, I should be anxious to rule that it is in order. I will leave it, but not for to-morrow. We have very little business for to-morrow unless we take the Finance Bill in Committee. A certain number of recommendations have been sent in to that, and possibly it might take anything up to an hour. We have no other business that will take any time. In view of the Session drawing rapidly to a conclusion, it might be better to sit to-morrow and get rid of any little business outstanding. Then we might sit again on Tuesday. The position is this: there are two or three Bills still under discussion in the Dáil which might reach us, and, of course, there is the Appropriation Bill which has to be disposed of. The Appropriation Bill is to be introduced into the Dáil on Friday, and it may or may not pass that day. If it passes on the Friday I suggest to you that the most convenient thing to do would be for us to meet on the Tuesday. If, however, the Appropriation Bill does not pass the Dáil by the end of this week, then I would not convene the Seanad until Thursday of next week. I hope the House will understand and leave it to me in that case.
I understand it is the intention of the President, and I have been speaking to the Minister for Finance about it, to adjourn on Friday until Tuesday next, when the Dáil will take the nominations to the Seanad Panel. In that case, I assume it is necessary that the Appropriation Bill shall be taken on Friday. Perhaps the Minister for Finance would confirm that.
I propose to ask the Dáil to take all the stages of the Appropriation Bill on Friday, and I hope they will agree with me. There is a possibility that they may not. They may say they will meet on Saturday, and I cannot guarantee what they will do.
Tuesday is rather an awkward day for country members. Why not make it Wednesday?
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
In the event of our introducing anything into any of those Bills and of their going back to the Dáil, it might involve our meeting the week after next.
There is no part of Ireland which takes two days to get from.
We have something to do at home.
I think Tuesday is a good day for the Appropriation Bill. It might take a week to get through, because you can introduce into the discussion any subject you like.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
If Senators have any definite matter on the Bill that they would like to discuss when it is taken up, it would be well if they let the Assistant Clerk know of the subject matter. I would make an effort to try to secure the Minister in charge of that Department. It is true, as Senator Sir Nugent Everard pointed out, that the House has unlimited discretion in roving over any subject that arises on an estimate. The Seanad has never taken full advantage of that opportunity, and I think possibly the Seanad themselves would prefer to limit the debate to matters of a material nature.