Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1924 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report No. 01 - Committee on Procedure and Privileges

DÁIL ÉIREANN.

An Chéad Thuarasgabháil ón gCoiste ar Nós-Imeachta agus Príbhléidi.

(First Report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.)

1. By Resolution of the Dáil, adopted on the 5th December, 1923, the following reference was made to the Committee:—

“That all question connected with the presentation of Petitions before Dáil Eireann be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for report to the Dáil.”

2. This Resolution was taken into consideration by the Committee at a meeting held on the 13th December, 1923, at which the following Deputies were present:—

The ceann Comhairle, Deputies P. O Máille, Nicholls, Conlon, Wilson, Cooper, Johnson and Hughes.

3. Provision is made in Articles 47 and 48 of the Constitution for the presentation of certain Petitions. The Standing Orders of both Houses dealing with Private Bills provide for the presentation of Petitions in certain cases.

4. The Committee took into consideration other cases in which Petitions might be presented and recommend that the practice of presenting Petitions to the Dáil whether by Deputies or by any outside body should not be adopted.

5. In forming this opinion the Committee had regard to the guarantees of free speech, free assembly, adult suffrage, Proportional Representation, Referendum and the Initiative contained in the Constitution. They considered that by these methods every point of view held by citizens can be brought before the Dáil, and that, consequently, the expedient of Petitions is not necessary.

6. In regard to other matters referred to the Committee by Resolution of the Dáil dated 3rd October, 1923, which set up the Committee, progress has been made, but the Committee is continuing its deliberations thereon.

Ceann Comhairle.

14 adh Feabhra, 1924.