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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 May 1926

Vol. 7 No. 2

CORONERS BILL, 1925.

CATHAOIRLEACH

With regard to this Bill I wish to say that it is the first important piece of serious legislation we have so far carried through. As Senators will see from the document in front of them, the Bill has been amended out of all recognition. It was originally a Bill, I think, of three clauses, and it is now a comprehensive and important proposal. Although it is quite within the power of the House, having regard to the Constitutional precedents that exist in the matter, to consider on Report a Bill so drastically changed as that in Committee, I would venture to suggest that, in view of the fact that it is our first piece of legislation, it would be wiser to discharge the Order for the Second Reading of the Bill, and to discharge the Order committing it to a Select Committee, so that the Bill may be introduced in its present shape de novo. That will serve a double and a useful purpose. It will give the House an opportunity of considering this useful Bill in Committee, which they have not had because it was referred to a Select Committee. It will also show to the public and the other House that this Bill is the result of careful consideration, and it being, as I said, our first real serious attempt at legislation, I would recommend the House to adopt that course. I wish to make one other observation in reference to it. In Committee we had the advantage of the assistance and evidence of Mr. Horgan, representing the Coroners' Association. On behalf of the Committee I wish to acknowledge the very valuable help he gave us. It was all the more valuable because it was manifestly given, not with a view to the interests as those he represented so much as the interests of the community as a whole.

In view of the statement which you have made, sir, I beg to move that the report of the Select Committee on the Coroners Bill, 1925, be not adopted and that the order referring the Bill to a Select Committee be discharged. I am also prepared to add to that, if you, sir, think it is the proper course, that the resolution for the Second Reading of the Bill be also discharged.

CATHAOIRLEACH

I think that it would be safer that the Order giving this Bill a Second Reading and the Order referring it to a Select Committee be both discharged.

Very probably. My original idea was to leave the present Bill at the Second Reading Stage until the new Bill, which with the concurrence of two of my fellow-Senators, Senator Kenny and Senator Jackson; will be formally introduced on the next day the House meets, also reaches its Second Stage. We could then withdraw the original Bill.

CATHAOIRLEACH

It is just a matter of form.

I beg to second the motion. I was going to raise the matter myself but the statement you have made, a Chathaoirligh, has completely satisfied me that there is no necessity for me to do so. As you remarked when this Bill passed its Second Reading, it contained only three clauses. These three clauses are now deleted. Even the title of the Bill has been deleted, so that really the Bill we gave a Second Reading to is not now before us. The course you have recommended is, I think, the proper course to adopt—to have the Bill come before us de novo and receive its Second Reading.

I think there is no doubt that the course suggested by the Cathaoirleach is the right one but I think it would be better, as has now been proposed by Senator Brown, that we should leave over the Second Stage of the Bill, because that would have to be formally rescinded. It could not be discharged without the assent of so many Senators. It is very rarely that I rise to propose that Standing Orders be suspended but I do so now because it occurs to me that if there is no possibility of the House meeting next week it would be for the convenience of the House if Senator Brown were allowed to introduce the new Bill to-day. That would enable him to make an explanatory statement on the Second Stage of the Bill. That would be what the House generally would desire. I therefore move that the Standing Orders be suspended for the purpose of enabling leave to be given to introduce this Bill without notice.

I beg to second that.

Motion to suspend Standing Orders put and agreed to.
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