Committee Reports::Report and Proceedings - Constitution (the constitution and powers of, and methods of election to, Seanad Éireann)::25 April, 1928::Proceedings of the Joint Committee

IMEACHTA AN CHO-CHOISTE.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

Dé Céadaoin, 25adh Abrán, 1928.

Wednesday, 25th April, 1928.

1. The Joint Committee met at 11 a.m.


2. Present: The Ceann Comhairle (in the Chair), the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; Deputies de Valera, Morrissey and Tierney; Senators Bennett, Douglas, Jameson, O’Farrell and O’Hanlon.


3. Panel of Candidates.


Motion made (Senator Douglas):


“That in view of the difficulty in finding agreement in the Joint Committee as to a satisfactory method of constituting a Nominating College to nominate persons for inclusion in the panel of candidates for an election of members of the Seanad, the Joint Committee does not proceed to consider further the details of a scheme but recommends that the present provisions of the Constitution as to the formation of the panel be deleted and a provision be inserted therein that the panel shall be formed in manner to be determined by ordinary legislation.”


Question put, and agreed to.


4. Outgoing Senators and the Panel.


Motion made (Deputy de Valera):


“That, in the event of the Seanad having the right to nominate candidates to the panel, the Joint Committee recommends that outgoing Senators, as such, should not have the right to be included in any panel of candidates which may be formed for an election of members of the Seanad.”


Question put: the Joint Committee divided; For, 5; Against, 4.


For: Deputies de Valera and Morrissey; Senators Bennett, O’Farrell and O’Hanlon.


Against: Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; Deputy Tierney; Senators Douglas and Jameson.


The motion was declared carried accordingly.


5. Number of Members of the Seanad.


Motion made (Cathaoirleach of the Seanad):


“That the Joint Committee recommends that the number of members of the Seanad be as at present.”


Amendment proposed (Deputy de Valera):


“To delete the words ‘as at present’ and substitute therefor the words ‘reduced to thirty-five.”’


Question put, and negatived— Deputy de Valera dissenting.


Main Question put, and agreed to —Deputy de Valera dissenting.


6. Minimum age for eligibility for membership of Seanad.


Motion made (Cathaoirleach of the Seanad):


“That the Joint Committee recommends that the minimum age for eligibility for membership of the Seanad be as at present.”


Amendment proposed (Deputy de Valera):


“To delete the words ‘as at present’ and substitute therefor the words ‘thirty years.”’


Question put; the Joint Committee divided; For, 6; Against, 3.


For: Deputies de Valera, Morrissey and Tierney; Senators Douglas, O’Farrell and O’Hanlon.


Against: Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; Senators Bennett and Jameson.


The amendment was declared carried accordingly.


Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.


7. Term of Office of Senators.


Motion made (Senator Bennett):


“That the Joint Committee recommends that the term of office of a member of the Seanad be nine years.”


Amendment proposed (Deputy de Valera):


“To delete the word ‘nine’ and substitute therefor the word ‘six.”’


Question put, and negatived—Deputy de Valera dissenting.


Main Question put, and agreed to —Deputy de Valera dissenting.


8. Frequency of elections.


Motion made (Senator Douglas):


“That the Joint Committee recommends that one-third of the members of the Seanad be elected every three years.”


Question put, and agreed to— Deputy de Valera dissenting.


9. The Joint Committee adjourned at 1.15 p.m. till 11 a.m. Wednesday next.