Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1924 > Committee on Procedure in regard to Seanad Amendments to Bills > Report - Seanad Amendments to Bills

SEANAD EIREANN.

TUARASGABHAIL ON gCO-CHOISTE AR NOS-IMEACHTA MAIDIR LE LEASUITHE ON SEANAD AR BHILLI.

REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE IN REGARD TO SEANAD AMENDMENTS TO BILLS.

The Joint Committee was constituted by Resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad of the 16th and 24th January, 1924, respectively. The Committee has held five meetings, and has come to the conclusions set out below:

(i.) Consideration was given to the case in which objection might be taken by one House to an amendment to a Bill made by the other House on the ground that the amendment was outside the scope of the Bill. The Committee is of opinion that on the disagreement by either House to an amendment of the other House the reason assigned for the disagreement should be one other than a reason involving a question of other.

(ii.) The question of making certain additions to the Standing Orders of each House governing the procedure regarding amendments to Bills made by the other House was also considered. The Joint Committee recommends the adoption by each House of the Standing Orders which are given in the appendix to this Report.

FO-SCRIBHINN.

APPENDIX.

Draft Standing Orders for the Dáil.

An Amendment made by the Seanad to a Bill may be accepted by the Dáil with or without amendment or be rejected. No amendment shall be moved to an Amendment made by the Seanad that is not strictly relevant thereto, nor can any other amendment be moved to the Bill unless it be consequential upon the acceptance, amendment or rejection of a Seanad Amendment.

(1) In the case of disagreement between the Dáil and Seanad in regard to any Bill, the Dáil may propose a conference between members representing both Houses for the purpose of discussing the points of disagreement. Any motion for a conference shall specify the purpose for which the conference is desired and the number of representatives of the Dáil proposed to be appointed. When the proposal for a conference has been accepted by the Seanad the Dáil shall nominate the members to represent the House at the conference, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the Ceann Comhairle.

(ii.) When a Message is received from the Seanad proposing a conference the matter shall be set down on the Order Paper next thereafter prepared. If the proposal of the Seanad be accepted, the Dáil shall nominate a number of Deputies, equal to the number of Senators proposed by the Seanad, to represent the Dáil at such conference, and the Seanad shall be informed accordingly.

In each case the conclusions of such Conference shall be reported to the Dáil.

Draft Standing Orders for the Seanad.

An Amendment made by the Dáil to a Bill may be accepted by the Seanad with or without amendment or be rejected. No amendment shall be moved to an Amendment made by the Dáil that is not strictly relevant thereto, nor can any other amendment be moved to the Bill unless it be consequential upon the acceptance, amendment or rejection of a Dáil Amendment.

(i.) In the case of disagreement between the Seanad and Dáil in regard to any Bill, the Seanad may propose a conference between members representing both Houses for the purpose of discussing the points of disagreement. Any motion for a conference shall specify the purpose for which the conference is desired and the number of representatives of the Seanad proposed to be appointed. When the proposal for a conference has been accepted by the Dáil the Seanad shall nominate the members to represent the House at the conference, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the Cathaoirleach.

(ii.) When a Message is received from the Dáil proposing a conference the matter shall be set down on the Order Paper next thereafter prepared. If the proposal of the Dáil be accepted the Seanad shall nominate a number of Senators, equal to the number of Deputies proposed by the Dáil, to represent the Seanad at such conference and the Dáil shall be informed accordingly.

In each case, the conclusions of such Conference shall be reported to the Seanad.