Committee Reports::Report No. 03 - Procedure and Privileges (Holidays of Obligation)::11 October, 1928::Proceedings of the Joint Committee

IMEACHTA AN CHOISTE.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.

Déardaoin, 11adh Deire Fomhair, 1928.

Thursday, 11th October, 1928.

1. The Committee met at 12 noon in Committee Room No. 106.


2. The following members were present:—


The Ceann Comhairle (in the Chair); Deputies G. Boland, J. J. Byrne, Cooper, Duggan, P. S. Doyle, Flinn, O’Donovan and Thrift.


The Leas-Cheann Comhairle was also present.


3. Sittings on Holidays of Obligation.


The Committee took into consideration a Chairman’s Draft Report which had been circulated. The report was as follows:—


1. Following upon a reference made in the Dáil on Friday, May 11th, 1928, the matter of sitting on Holidays of Obligation was considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges at its meeting on Thursday, May 17th, 1928. It was pointed out to the Committee that it had not been the practice heretofore that the Dáil should adjourn over a Holiday of Obligation (other than over the National Festival, St. Patrick’s Day), when such Holidays occurred on days on which the Dáil would otherwise normally sit. As it appeared, moreover, that sittings on only three (or possibly four) of the Holidays were likely to be affected, and on these days mainly, when the Holidays occurred on Thursdays, it was agreed that no action should be then taken. The matter, however, was to be brought forward for review if a considerable volume of opinion in favour of a change in practice manifested itself.


2. The matter was again raised informally in the Dáil on Wednesday, June 6th, 1928, when a minute of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the terms of the foregoing paragraph was communicated to the House. Following that communication, opinion in favour of a change in practice was expressed, and it was then agreed that the matter should be further considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, with a view to a report to the House.


3. The Committee took the matter into consideration at meetings on


A motion in assertion of the general principle that the Dáil should not in future sit on any Holiday of Obligation was negatived on Division by the Committee. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the practice heretofore followed should not be departed from.


Deputy P. S. Doyle moved:


“That the Chairman’s Draft Report be the Report of the Committee to the Dáil.”


Question put, and agreed to.


Ordered: To report accordingly.


Ordered: That the Report be presented to the Dáil to-day.


7. The Committee adjourned at 12.45 p.m.