I do not know whether the Seanad is prepared to embark on a discussion of Irish Local Government at this hour of the evening. I am prepared to discuss it, but I am altogether in the hands of the Seanad.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - IRISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL LOANS.
Motion by Sir Thomas Esmonde:—
That in the opinion of the Seanad the system of Irish Local Government and of Irish Local Finance is unsuited to the practical needs and resources of the Free State rate-payers generally; and that steps should be taken by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to ensure that expensive works of permanent utility should be financed by means of Local Loans, with appropriate periods of repayment."
LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH
It is very late.
Then I move that the House meet to-morrow.
LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH
There is no other business for to-morrow.
This is a very important question, and I think it would be better to adjourn the discussion until next week.
I intended to raise this question specifically with a view to the coming statement by the Finance Minister. The Seanad will understand that in these proceedings I am not actuated by any censorious spirit, but knowing something about local government I think there are suggestions I might make in the public interest and I would like to make them before the Budget is introduced.
It is a subject I am very greatly interested in, and I would like to see it get the fullest discussion. If we adjourn it until to-morrow I am afraid we will have as poor a House as we have now.
LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH
It is not very likely that we will get a quorum to-day or to-morrow.
If the House wishes to meet at 8 o'clock tonight, or come back to-morrow, I am prepared to fall in with either suggestion.
LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH
Unless I get some proposal to the contrary, I will ask Senator Sir Thomas Esmonde to proceed.
To raise the question formally, I beg to propose that we meet to-morrow at 3 o'clock.
LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH
I will put that motion to the House.
Motion declared carried on a show of hands.
The Seanad adjourned at 7.5 p.m., till 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 31st March.