Before we take up Public Business, there is one matter I would like to refer to. It is in connection with a Bill that has been introduced into the Dáil and passed its Second Stage there. The Dáil has adjourned the Committee Stage of that Bill until the 10th October next. It is a very important Bill in so far as it deals with the method of nominating and electing candidates at the next ensuing triennial election to the Seanad. It is not a very complicated Bill, but it is one, I think, that will deserve and receive at the hands of the Seanad very careful consideration. Time, however, is a matter of great importance in connection with it, because the Bill itself will only be taken in the Committee Stage on the 10th October, and under the terms of this Bill the elections are to take place on the 16th November. That is the suggested date of the elections, but the panel of candidates must be formed on or before the 13th November. Inasmuch as the Bill provides that each House has to determine the method of selecting and nominating candidates for this panel, it is perfectly obvious that the Bill must be passed through this House some date before the 13th November.
PRIVATE BUSINESS. - SEANAD ELECTIONS.
CATHAOIRLEACH
At least seven days.
CATHAOIRLEACH
Yes. That would leave the position this way: that the Bill ought to be passed through this House and ready for its assent by, at any rate, the 6th November. If the Committee Stage only begins in the Dail on the 10th October it will take some time for it to pass through that House. Therefore, it is manifest that we are going to be more or less rushed as regards this Bill, and perhaps some other Bill in connection with the Seanad election. It has occurred to me that it might be a desirable thing if, during the Recess, I got the permission of the House to invite some members of the Seanad who will be in or about the city of Dublin during that period to take this Bill into their consideration in an informal way, and to prepare a report upon it for this House, that is to say, to point out any difficulties they may see in connection with it, or to make any suggestions that they may think fit as to how it might be improved. Of course, that would be an informal matter which would not bind the House in any way.
We are not really in a position to appoint formally a definite Committee to deal with the Bill inasmuch as it has not yet reached this House. If the House is prepared to give its assent to the suggestion I have made, I would propose asking the Vice-Chairman and Senators O'Farrell, Mrs. Wyse Power, Dowdall, Jameson and Douglas if they would kindly act as a sort of informal Committee and take this Bill into their consideration during the Recess. I do not know whether the House will approve of that or not, but if there is no objection on the part of any member, and if it is thought a desirable thing to do, I shall invite these Senators, nearly all of whom live in the vicinity of the city and, therefore, will be available to take this task on for us.
I think the suggestion you have made, sir, is a very good one. It is interesting to know that a Bill of this magnitude, raising such important issues, is not going to be given more time than has been indicated for its consideration and discussion, but I suppose we cannot help ourselves. Speaking for myself on this matter, may I say that the more information we have about this Bill and the more light that is thrown on the method of electing the immediate Seanad the better. I am quite certain that the Senators whom you have mentioned would be quite prepared to help in every way, knowing that whatever decisions they come to will be informal, and will not commit the Seanad in any way, and that whatever report or memorandum they may issue in regard to their deliberations will be for the information and guidance of the Seanad. I think that would be an admirable proceeding, and I take the liberty of supporting the suggestion you have made.
I think it would be as well not to have anyone on this Committee who was on the Constitutional Committee, and to patch it would hardly improve the situation.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I do not think we need be so particular as that, especially in view of the fact that this is only a small committee to help us with preliminary views that will in no way be binding upon us. I was very anxious that those I mentioned might be taken as fairly representing the different views in this House. The selection was more or less, of course, limited, because it is essential to have on the Committee Senators who live in the vicinity of the city and who would be able to attend. May I take it then that the suggestion I have made meets with the approval of the House?
Agreed.