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Dáil Éireann - Volume 39 - 01 July, 1931 Local Government (Rates on Agricultural Land) Bill, 1931.—First Stage. Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: I ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision for the application of moneys which may be provided by the Oireachtas for the additional relief of rates on agricultural land. The purpose of this Bill is to fix the distribution of the sum of £750,000 for the relief of rates. Leave to introduce granted. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: When will the second stage be taken? Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: Friday. Mr. O'Kelly Mr. O'Kelly Mr. O'Kelly: We cannot at all agree to that even though the substance of this measure is known. I do not think it is right that the Second Stages of Bills should be rushed through without giving the House a proper opportunity of studying them. It cannot be expected that a Bill which has not yet seen the light of day can be properly studied between now and Friday. I do not think the second reading of this Bill, although its principle may be known, could be adequately discussed in that time any more than the last Bill. Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: There is absolutely nothing new in the Bill. It provides that £750,000 shall be distributed amongst the various countries as set out in my Budget statement. Mr. Davin Mr. Davin Mr. Davin: In view of the fact that the method of allocation of the money which it is proposed to raise under this Bill and the basis have been generally agreed upon by Fianna Fáil and Cumann na nGaedheal, is it not advisable that Deputy O'Kelly should withdraw his objection? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: It is quite obvious that Deputy Davin thinks he is still on the hustings in Kildare at the bottom of the poll misrepresenting the Fianna Fáil Party. Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: The Deputy knows how to conduct himself when he is there. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: Apparently criticism of the Labour Party is now libellous. I suppose the Government should govern not only by the will of God, but by the will of the people. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes 1213 [1213] An Ceann Comhairle: What about the date for taking the Second Reading of the Bill? Mr. Davin Mr. Davin Mr. Davin: Most of the money is going to the landlords. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: I shall continue when Deputy Davin gets back his self-control. It is quite untrue to say that there was any measure of agreement between the Government and Fianna Fáil. (Interruption). Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan: Is it in order for a Deputy to refer to another Deputy as telling a lie? An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: I did not hear any expression of that kind. Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan: Deputy Davin used it and Deputy O'Connell repeated it. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: That expression did not reach me, but if it was used, it should be withdrawn. Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan: I am sure that the Deputies will not deny that they used it when they referred—— Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: Do the Deputies deny that lies were used in Kildare? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: The people of Kildare gave their answer. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: I would not like to have to rule whether lies were used in Kildare or not, but it is out of order to apply the word “lie” to a statement made by a member in the House. I did not hear the word. Having left Kildare behind, we might go on and fix the date for taking the second stage of this Bill “to make provision for the application of moneys which may be provided by the Oireachtas for the additional relief of rates on agricultural land.” Mr. Davin Mr. Davin Mr. Davin: For Lord Cloncurry. Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan: When Deputy MacEntee said that there was no agreement between the Government and Fianna Fáil, Deputy O'Connell said that was a lie. Deputy O'Connell Deputy O'Connell Deputy O'Connell: I did not. Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan 1214 [1214] Dr. Ryan: The Deputy did. Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: If the Ceann Comhairle asks me to withdraw I will withdraw. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: I did not hear Deputy O'Connell's words. Some remarks were made, but I did not hear what they were. If Deputy O'Connell made the statement that what Deputy MacEntee said was a lie, I think he should withdraw it. Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: I did not use the expression in that sense. If there is anything to complain of in that respect I will withdraw. I was referring to things that happened in Kildare and not to what occurred here. Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan: I understood that a withdrawal should be unqualified. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: Yes, absolutely. The Chair did not hear what was said. Deputy O'Connell denies apparently, by giving another meaning to his word, that he used the word “lie” as applied to a statement made by Deputy MacEntee. In the case of interchanges, particularly interchanges following hot on the heels of a by-election, it is difficult to know what was said. I did not hear it, and if Deputy O'Connell said that he used the word in a particular sense all we can do is leave it at that. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: If the word “lie” is applied to a statement made by a Deputy it can only be used in one sense, that the Deputy was telling an untruth. I heard what Deputy O'Connell said. He said that a certain statement I had made was a lie. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: Did Deputy O'Connell say that? Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: Not in that sense, but to get over the difficulty I withdraw anything I did say. Mr. Davin Mr. Davin Mr. Davin: What about God Save the King? Sing God Save the King. Mr. G. Boland Mr. G. Boland Mr. G. Boland: You would be a better hand at that than we would. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: Take your beating. Mr. Davin Mr. Davin 1215 [1215] Mr. Davin: Ask them to sing God Save the King. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: The only question at issue is whether we are to take the Second Reading on Friday or not. Now, on that question. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: The statement has been made by Deputy Davin that there is a measure of agreement between Fianna Fáil and Cumann na nGaedheal—that is incorrect. Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: Is that another way of saying it is a lie? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: Is Deputy O'Connell addressing the Chair or addressing me? Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell Mr. O'Connell: I am not addressing anybody. A Deputy A Deputy A Deputy: You are repeating the expression. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee 1216 Mr. MacEntee: Deputy Davin has made a statement which I again repeat is incorrect, that there is a measure of agreement between the Government and Fianna Fáil as to how the proposed £750,000 for the relief of rates is to be distributed. As a matter of fact, there are important differences between the two [1216] Parties in that regard and for that reason I would urge that it is unfair to the House to present a Bill of this importance and to expect us to take the Second Reading within a day. I might say, after it has been circulated because it will not be in our hands until to-morrow morning and we shall not be in a position to draft reasoned amendments, if we wish to do so, between then and Friday. The President The President The President: For the Second Reading? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: The Second Reading is to be taken on Friday, the day after we get the Bill. If we are putting down amendments surely members of the Government Party might be reasonably expected to get time to consider the Bill and express an independent judgment upon it. It is quite possible that the President of the Executive Council does not want members of his Party to use any independence of mind or freedom of action with regard to Government proposals. Question—“That the Second Reading of the Bill be taken on Friday” —put. The Dáil divided: Tá, 52; Níl, 38. Tá
1217 1218 [1217] [1218] Níl
Tellers:—Tá, Deputies Duggan and P.S. Doyle; Níl, Deputies G. Boland and Allen. Motion declared carried. Second Stage to be taken on Friday, 3rd July. Dáil Éireann 39 Local Government (Rates on Agricultural Land) Bill, 1931.—First Stage. General Debate 19310701
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