It will be in the memory of Senators that there was some sort of arrangement with Senator Mrs. Clarke on this matter, and perhaps in view of that it would be better if the Report Stage of the Bill were postponed.
Public Business. - Shop Hours (Drapery Trades, Dublin and Districts) Bill, 1930—Report Stage.
Cathaoirleach
What Senator Douglas asked me to say was that if Senator Mrs. Clarke did not attend to-day he would not like to press the Report Stage, because she had expressed the intention of putting down an amendment. What he suggested—and I make the suggestion on his behalf— was that the Report Stage should remain over until the first day on which we sit after Easter, on the distinct understanding that both that Stage and the Final Stage should be taken on that day, for it is important that that should be done. I will put down a motion to suspend the Standing Orders for that purpose.
I think that there is a real objection to the Senator's suggestion. We are likely to adjourn over Easter; as far as I can see there is no business likely to call us together for some days after the Dáil has resumed its work. There is a real need for this Bill to be in the hands of the Dáil at the earliest possible date, because their position is that they have a crowded Order Paper, and if we delay in sending it to them it may be too late for enactment before the expiry of the present Act. Therefore it is distinctly desirable that the Seanad should finish the Bill and have it in the hands of the Dáil at the resumption of their activities after Easter. We may not meet for some time after the Dáil has resumed, because this would be practically the only business on the Order Paper.
Cathaoirleach
Senator Brown's suggestion meets that point, because both stages will be taken on the next day. We can only take one stage to-day.
I understood that there was a motion on the paper to take both stages to-day.
Cathaoirleach
There is no motion on the Order Paper to-day to take all stages, and we cannot take them, so that if Senator Brown's suggestion is accepted it is the most we can do. We can pass the Bill next day, but we could not pass it to-day.
Report Stage of the Bill adjourned until the next meeting of the Seanad.
The Seanad adjourned at 4.55 p.m. sine die.