I would like to suggest that this is the kind of Bill which might be more effectively dealt with by a Special Committee. I heard a good deal of discussion outside the House, and I know that there are points that Senators want to raise in most of the sections. I believe it is exactly the kind of Bill which might be dealt with in that manner. There is no Party interest in the Bill at all. That can only be done by consent of the House. I would like to suggest that the Order of the 31st May, referring the Fisheries Bill, 1938, to a Committee of the whole Seanad, be discharged, and that the Bill be committed to a Special Committee of the Seanad consisting of nine Senators to be appointed by the Committee of Selection. I take it that if that proposal met with general approval, the Committee of Selection could meet almost immediately and the Special Committee could be appointed. I take it also that Senators who have amendments down would be placed on the committee more or less by consent.
I suggest that we used to do this in the old Seanad rather effectively in connection with Bills in which there was no Party interest at all, and where it was a question of getting down to the details and trying to get the best possible Bill. I think this is exactly the kind of Bill where the Special Committee procedure would be useful. For that reason, I make the suggestion. I know it should have been made immediately last week, but I think, if the House agrees, there would be no objection to rescinding that Order and making a new Order.
