The Minister was here at an earlier stage, but we did not go on with the Bill. Perhaps the House will agree to take it without an explanation and give the Minister the Second Reading? It is a Bill of only one clause.
Public Business. - Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1933—Second Stage.
Cathaoirleach
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
I move:
That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Standing Orders 79 (1) and 85, the Committee Stage and Report Stage of the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1933, be taken to-day.
I second.
I propose to oppose this motion. No justification has been given for it. It is a continuation of a very bad practice which has always been opposed and by none more emphatically than Fianna Fáil Senators when they were in opposition. If there was any sound reason for the motion we would, no doubt, have heard it. I do not think there is any good reason for it and I think, especially in view of the circumstances under which the Second Reading has been allowed to pass without discussion, that we ought not to take the remaining stages until another day.
Cathaoirleach
It must be law by the end of this month.
There is a long time between now and the end of the month.
Cathaoirleach
I will put the motion.
Question put and declared lost.
Committee Stage ordered for Wednesday, March 22nd.
Cathaoirleach
There are one or two small items on the Order Paper which I shall ask the House to dispose of.