This is a Seanad Bill which has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance, therefore, with Standing Order No. 75, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question that the Bill be received for final consideration, the Minister may explain the purport of the amendments made by the Dáil and this is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. The only matters, therefore, that may be discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil.
Juries Bill, 1975: Report and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be received for final consideration."
I am obliged to the Seanad for taking this matter at short notice. The Dáil made just one amendment to the Bill since it left this House and that was to extend the category of persons in Part II, that is persons excusable as of right—to extend it to include employees of Irish Lights on a certificate from the Commissioners of Irish Lights, a procedure analogous to the procedure to be used by the head of a Government Department in giving a certificate to a member whose duties could not reasonably be performed by another person or postponed, that the exemption available to employees of Irish Lights will be in that very restricted sense. They can only be excused as of right when the secretary to the commissioners, who himself is being excused as of right, gives a certificate that the duties of that member cannot be postponed or reasonably be performed by another.
Agreed.
Question put and agreed to.
Question: "That the Bill do now pass" put and agreed to.
Acting Chairman
The next matter is the adjournment of the Seanad.
I think we will be meeting this day fortnight but just in case, for any reason, we might have to meet next week I suggest the adjournment should be sine die.
What is the reason for the delay in the Planning Bill as it is through the Dáil?
I cannot answer offhand.
The Seanad adjourned at 8.05 p.m. sine die.