Committee Reports::Special Report - Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Bill, 1937 together with the proceedings of the Special Committee::03 November, 1937::Proceedings of the Joint Committee

2. Present: The President of the Executive Council (in the Chair); the Minister for Industry and Commerce; the Minister for Agriculture; the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance; Deputies Anthony, Costello, Fitzgerald-Kenney, Kissane, McGilligan, Moore, Norton, W. O’Brien, J. M. O’Sullivan and Smith.

4. The Committee directed that the Memorandum by the Chairman (which had been circulated) and the letters from Deputies McGilligan and Norton in reference thereto should be annexed to the Minutes of Proceedings of this day’s meeting.

5. The Chairman’s Memorandum was then taken into consideration. After discussion, the following Question was put:—

“That Deputy Norton’s scheme, as set forth in his Memorandum, be adopted.”

The Memorandum was amended by the deletion, in paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (iv), of the word “say” and the insertion after the word “members” in that subparagraph of the words “as set out in Deputy McGilligan’s scheme”.

“That the proposals in the Chairman’s Memorandum, as so amended, be adopted.”

The Minister for Industry and Commerce then promised to commit to writing proposals which he had outlined to the Committee in the course of the discussion.

ANNEX C.

1. The Committee, at its meeting on Thursday, October 28th, considered the proposals which had been submitted by Deputies McGilligan and Norton in substitution for those set out in the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Bill, 1937.

(i) that there should be a dual system of nomination of candidates to panels—

(a) by members of the Dáil,

(b) by outside bodies which would be determined;

(ii) that nomination by members of the Dáil should be unrestricted;

(iii) that all nominations should be submitted for examination to the Electoral College to be established in accordance with the suggestion put forward in subparagraph (iv) hereof;

(iv) that the Panel members should be elected by an Electoral College consisting of, say, 21 members. The members of the Electoral College should not be members of the Dáil and should not themselves be capable of being elected as Senators at the particular election for the purpose of which the Electoral College was formed. The members of the Electoral College would be appointed by the Dáil;

(v) that the Electoral College should, by a procedure to be determined, reduce the number of validly nominated candidates to be taken into consideration for the purpose of actual election. The ballot paper, in its final form, should contain the names in equal numbers of candidates nominated by members of the Dáil and candidates nominated by outside bodies;

(vi) that not less than 22 of the elected Panel members should be nominees of the Dáil.

3. A further matter discussed at the meeting was the question of a deposit by all candidates nominated. It appeared to be the view of the Committee that a deposit of, say, £10, which would not be returnable, should be stipulated.

Letters from Deputies McGilligan and Norton in reference to the Memorandum by the Chairman.

I return with this the draft memorandum covering certain proposals emanating from the meeting of the Committee on the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Bill, 1937. In my opinion the draft is an accurate outline of the results of the Committee’s discussions on Thursday last. I would agree that it could be circulated as it is. There are, of course, many details to be filled in, if and when the proposals in attached are accepted as the general plan for the construction of the Seanad.

I am in receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo enclosing the draft memorandum covering certain proposals which were considered at the meeting of the Special Committee on Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Bill, 1937.

Sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 2 of the memorandum represent portion of the proposals submitted. My support of the proposal contained in sub-paragraph (iv) was conditional upon the Electoral College of 21 members being constituted in a particular way, and this fact was mentioned in the proposal which I submitted to the Committee on Thursday night last. I cannot regard myself as bound to accept the proposal to establish an Electoral College irrespective of the manner in which it is constituted.

Sub-paragraphs (v) and (vi) are approved by me. I do not think that the proposal contained in paragraph 3 was ultimately adopted, and I do not recollect any vocal support for the proposal.

IMEACHTA AN CHOISTE SPEISIALTA.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.

Dé Céadaoin, 3adh Mí na Samhna, 1937.

Wednesday, 3rd November, 1937.

ANNEX C.