This Bill is the usual continuing measure. Its purpose is to maintain the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Acts, 1923 to 1943, in force up to the 31st March, 1945. There was no amendment to last year's Act and as I presume nobody requires any further information on this Bill, I should be glad if the Seanad, as on previous occasions, would give me all Stages of the Bill to-day.
Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1944.—Second and Subsequent Stages.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
I should like to raise a point for the Minister's consideration in regard to pensioners in the public service. I know of many men employed under the Dublin Corporation as street cleaners who have military service pensions and a deduction of, I think, roughly 20 to 25 per cent. is made from their pensions each quarter when they get their cheques. I felt for a long time that it might be good policy and, in principle, might be sound that people receiving money from the public service should pay something towards their pensions, but people who are——
The Senator is not in order in raising that matter on this Bill. We are not now dealing with military service pensions. We are dealing with the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Bill.
Question put and agreed to.
Agreed to take the remaining Stages now.
Bill put through Committee without amendment, received for final consideration, passed and ordered to be returned to the Dáil.