I wonder would it be possible for me to take the amendments which I proposed to insert on Report Stage? Could we deal with these amendments now and then postpone the Report Stage?
Institute for Advanced Studies Bill, 1939—Recommittal.
Does the Taoiseach mean to-night?
Yes. There were certain amendments circulated which were intended for Report Stage.
We can recommit the Bill, insert these amendments and then get the Bill printed.
I formally move that the Bill be recommitted for the purpose of considering the further Government amendments.
Agreed.
Unless the Taoiseach has a radical objection, I should be very glad to move these amendments.
It is one of these cases in which we shall have less trouble if they are moved by the opposite side.
Senator Quirke is not here, but he objects to that phrase. He thinks there is only one side in the House.
I think I am being fair in saying that Senator Hayes is on the opposite side, anyhow.
I move amendment No. 1:
In page 4, Section 5, sub-section (2), paragraph (g) to delete all from the word "assigned," in line 25, to the end of the paragraph, and to substitute the words "decided on by the governing board of the school."
The purpose of this is to bring the school for theoretical physics into line with that for Celtic studies.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 2:
In page 5, Section 8, before sub-section (2), to insert the following new sub-sections:— (2) The governing board of a constituent school may at any time submit to the Minister a proposal for the appointment of a named person to be a senior professor of that school or for the removal from office of a particular senior professor of the school.
(3) Every proposal submitted under the next preceding sub-section of this section to the Minister shall be brought before the Government by the Minister and shall be considered by the Government.
The purpose of this amendment is to indicate that the initiative can be taken by the governing board of the school. It is to show that it is not a question of imposing, but that, generally, the spirit is to be one of consultation.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 3:
In page 8, Section 17, after sub-section (5) to add a new sub-section as follows:—
(6) No person shall be appointed to be registrar-bursar unless he satisfies the council that he possesses such an oral and written knowledge of the Irish language as will enable him to perform his official duties through the medium of that language.
I must say that, reading that now, I do not like that particular expression "to perform his official duties." If he does some manual act, does he do it through the medium of the Irish language? I think the intention is clear, however, and, as it has been used before, I suppose it can stand.
It will still be possible to amend it on Report, if necessary.
His duties may be of such a character that they are not expressed through the medium of any language.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 4:—
In page 8, Section 18, after sub-section (2) to insert a new sub-section as follows:—
(3) No person shall be appointed to be an officer or servant under this section unless he satisfies the council that he possesses such an oral and written knowledge of the Irish language as will enable him to perform his official duties through the medium of that language.
That deals with the same point, of making Irish compulsory. People may ask why we do this in the case of servants and officers, and the registrar-bursar, and not in the case of professors. The reason is that the professors are experts, and it may be difficult to get them with a knowledge of the Irish language, whereas we have reached such a stage now that I think we can get all the other officers with a knowledge of Irish.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 5:—
In page 9, Section 20, sub-section (4), line 37, before the word "be" to insert the words "from time to time."
The purpose of this amendment is to make the section uniform with another section in which the same expression is used.
Amendment agreed to.
Bill reported with amendments.
I should perhaps say at this point that it has not been the practice to reprint Bills amended by the Seanad, but an amendment sheet showing the amendments made in Committee is circulated. That practice will be followed in this case.
Report Stage ordered for Wednesday, 29th May.
The Seanad adjourned at 9.10 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 29th May, 1940.