In connection with this motion, amongst the amendments for the consideration of which the Senator seeks to have this Bill re-committed, there are two by Senator Dowdall, and there are amendments that appear for the first time standing in the name of the Government. The Government amendments have never been discussed, but the Senator's amendments were discussed in the Committee Stage, and again on the Report Stage, and disposed of. They were moved in the Senator's absence by Senator Bennett. It would be contrary to precedent under ordinary circumstances if I were to sanction the motion to re-commit the Bill in respect of amendments which were ruled out in Committee and in Report, but inasmuch as the Government had taken advantage of the holding up of the Report Stage to bring in a number of amendments dealing with the same section to which the Senator's amendments refer, I think the Senator deserves some credit for his adroitness in putting in his amendments while moving to re-commit the Bill. In permitting this motion to be moved I hope it will never be quoted as a precedent by my successors.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY (PROTECTION) BILL, 1926—REPORT STAGE (resumed).
The following motion by Senator Dowdall was on the Order Paper:—
"That the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Bill, 1926, be re-committed in respect of the sections to which amendments have been tabled."
CATHAOIRLEACH
I was not aware that my amendments had come up on Report. I had intended, even before you spoke, to ask, if it were in order, that I be permitted to withdraw the motion to re-commit. If there is any technical objection under Standing Orders to the Minister moving the amendments he desires, I think it would be far more convenient to move them as in Report.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I think so. I do not see anything to be gained by recommitting the Bill.
Public business prevented me from being here on the last occasion when my amendments were under consideration.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I think that was understood at the time.
Motion to re-commit the Bill, by leave, withdrawn.