Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Friday, 1 Sep 1961

Vol. 54 No. 20

Electricity (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1961. - Allocation of Time—Motion.

Mr. Carter

I move:

That the business of the Seanad at its sitting on Friday, 1st September, 1961, shall be proceeded with as follows, namely, in the case of the Electricity (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1961, the proceedings on the four stages thereof, if not previously brought to a conclusion, shall be brought to a conclusion at 11 p.m. on Friday, 1st September, 1961, by putting from the Chair forthwith and in due order the Questions necessary to bring them to a conclusion: Provided that after the said hour on the said day a Question shall not be put from the Chair on any amendment (save on a Government amendment, and the question on such amendment shall be in the form, that the amendment be made), nor upon any motion other than a motion necessary to bring the proceedings forthwith to a conclusion and then only when moved on behalf of the Government.

If the House agrees, we can vary the time to 11.30 p.m. and in doing that let the debate proceed. We can have a degree of flexibility and if necessary, the point could be raised as to what time we would finish.

Professor Hayes

Am I to take it that the time set out in the motion is being changed from 11 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. so as to conclude the business by putting from the Chair at 11.30 p.m. such questions as are necessary to bring the business to a conclusion? The Senator is following the procedure suggested by the Taoiseach in the other House, that we agree to 11.30 p.m. and that if there should be a demand—I do not think it will come from me—for a longer period, that would be given. I think that is reasonable.

Mr. Murphy

I wish to oppose this motion altogether. It would not be my intention or the intention of the Labour Party to keep the Seanad unduly late or to have a long debate but on principle I am against pushing through this Bill. We regard it as panicky, unnecessary and damaging legislation. We are not prepared to co-operate in agreeing to all the Stages of this Bill being pushed through here tonight.

Professor Hayes

There can be no doubt that there is a certain danger of the stoppage of supplies of electricity. I am not in the Government and I am not in the position to know all the facts. The Bill which is now before us, as amended in the other House, is not necessarily my remedy. However, the Government consider that it is necessary to pass this Bill today. It has already been amended in the other House and it needs consideration here. I would be prepared to give them the weapon which they think they need and which they think will be effective. I do not see what advantage there would be in going further than tonight in the debate. I would suggest that Senator Murphy should get as much time as he needs but I do agree the matter should be brought to a conclusion in the circumstances and in view of the desire of the Government to bring it to a conclusion.

Mr. Murphy

It is not a question of time; it is a question of my not being prepared to co-operate in giving the Government any weapon to best the trade union movement.

Question put.

The Seanad divided: Tá, 34; Níl, 8.

Tá

• Ahern, Liam.
• Brady, Seán.
• Brennan, John J.
• Carter, Frank.
• Cole, John C.
• Colley, Harry.
• Connor, Patrick.
• Crowley, Tadhg.
• Dillon, Gerard B.
• Donegan, Patrick.
• Dowdall, Jane.
• Fitzsimons, Patrick.
• Hayes, Michael.
• Hayes, Seán.
• Hogan, Daniel.
• Lahiffe, Robert.
• Lenihan, Brian.
• O'Brien, George A.T.
• O Ciosáin, Eamon.
• O Donnabháin, Seán.
• O'Dwyer, Martin.
• O Grádaigh, Seán.
• O'Reilly, Patrick.
• O Siochfhradha, Pádraig.
• O'Sullivan, Ted.
• Prendergast, Micheál A.
• Quinlan, Patrick M.
• Roddy, Joseph.
• Ruane, Thomas.
• Ryan, Eoin.
• Sheridan, John D.
• Sheridan, Joseph M.
• Walsh, Laurence J.
• Walsh, Louis.

Níl

• Browne, Edward.
• Carton, Victor.
• Connolly O'Brien, Nora.
• Crowley, Patrick.
• Davidson, Mary F.
• Murphy, Dominick F.
• O'Keeffe, James J.
• Tunney, James.

Tellers: Tá, Senators Seán Ó Donnabháin and Ted O'Sullivan; Níl, Senator Miss Davidson and Senator Murphy.

Question declared carried.