I move:
That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Standing Orders 79 (1) and 85, the Committee Stage and Report Stage of the Emergency Imposition of Duties Bill, 1932 be taken to-day.
Motion for Suspension of Standing Orders.
Cathaoirleach
Do you propose to move this motion at this late hour?
I propose to go on with the remaining stages to-night. I did not anticipate that the debate would last so long but, as everyone understands, the matter is one of urgency.
I beg to second the motion.
I rise to oppose the motion. If before this discussion started there was any reason for opposing this motion that reason is increased, and intensified tenfold, by reason of the fact that neither of the responsible spokesmen for the Government condescended to explain the Bill. I do not intend to occupy the time of the House very much longer. Senator Connolly told us that each Senator should be quite competent to grasp the details of the Bill and to form a judgment upon them. But it is quite a different thing for a Senator to know what exactly the Government mean by certain provisions in the Bill.
I have not the Bill by me, but we would like to know the meaning of certain provisions——
On a point of order, I would point out that the Second Stage of the Bill has been debated. We are now discussing whether we shall go forward with the other stages, and I protest against the reopening of the discussion on the principle of the Bill on a motion of this kind.
I am not discussing the Bill. I am pointing out the reasons why this motion should not be accepted. When I was speaking on the Second Reading of the Bill I asked that the President of the Executive Council, when he came to speak, would not ride away in a whirlwind of words but would come down to the actual meaning of the Bill, and that is the information I want to get now.
Cathaoirleach
You cannot do any more upon this motion.
I oppose the suspension of the Standing Orders.
Question put and declared lost.
Cathaoirleach
The remaining stages cannot be taken now. I suggest to the House that the Committee Stage should be taken on Wednesday.
Can we have the remaining stages of the Bill on Wednesday?
Cathaoirleach
I think that was suggested by some Senator and, if the House agrees, I am satisfied.
I do not know how we can make an agreement to have the remaining stages taken on that day, because we want to see how far the discussion on certain recommendations will take the Bill.
Cathaoirleach
I agree. If time permits we may perhaps take the remaining stages on Wednesday.
It is agreed that the remaining stages will be taken then?
Cathaoirleach
We shall see what we can do.
What about the other Bills on the Order Paper?
Cathaoirleach
It was agreed that the Oath Bill would be first on the Order Paper on Wednesday. Perhaps the House would like to have that arrangement reversed and to put this Bill in its place?
I suggest, sir, that the House should leave it to your discretion to arrange the business for Wednesday, having regard to all the circumstances.
And with regard to the views of the Government.
The views of the Government do not count for much here.
The Seanad adjourned at 8.15 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 20th July.