Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1947 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report - Seanad Panel Elections

DÁIL ÉIREANN.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

14th November, 1945—Motion: That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and Seanad be set up to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Éireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections;

That fifteen Deputies (exclusive of the Chairman of the Committee) represent the Dáil and seven Senators represent the Seanad on the said Joint Committee; and that the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Committee [Taoiseach].

Amendment proposed (Deputy O’Higgins):

“To delete all words after the word ‘expedient’ and substitute the following words:—

‘that a Commission be set up to consider and make recommendations for the selection of a Seanad.

That the Commission be nominated by the Government after consultation with the Leaders of the Opposition Parties.

That the Commission consist of nine persons of whom not more than four shall be members of the Oireachtas.’ ”

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered: That a Message be sent to the Seanad requesting its concurrence in this Resolution.

30th January, 1946—Message from the Seanad:—

Seanad Eireann has passed the following Resolution:—

That the Seanad concurs with the Dáil in their Resolution communicated to the Seanad the 14th day of November, 1945, that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and Seanad be set up to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections.

That fifteen Deputies (exclusive of the Chairman of the Committee) represent the Dáil and seven Senators represent the Seanad on the said Joint Committee; and that the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Committee.’ ”

Ordered: That a Select Committee consisting of fifteen members and the Ceann Comhairle be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of seven members to be appointed by the Seanad to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections;

That the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Joint Committee;

That the quorum be five, exclusive of the Chairman;

That the Committee be nominated by the Committee of Selection [Taoiseach].

Ordered: That a Message be sent to the Seanad acquainting it accordingly.

6th February, 1946: Deputies appointed to serve on the Joint Committee:—The Minister for Local Government and Public Health, the Minister for Agriculture, The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Deputy Childers); Deputies Bartley, B. Brady, P. Cogan, E. Coogan, Dillon, Everett, McCann, McCarthy, McGilligan, D. Morrissey, Norton and O’Connor.

SEANAD EIREANN.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

24th January, 1946.—Message from the Dâil:—

Dáil Eireann has passed the following Resolution in which the concurrence of Seanad Eireann is desired:—

That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and Seanad be set up to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections.

That fifteen Deputies (exclusive of the Chairman of the Committee) represent the Dáil and seven Senators represent the Seanad on the said Joint Committee; and that the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Committee.”’

Motion: That the Seanad concurs with the Dáil in their Resolution communicated to the Seanad the 14th day of November, 1945, that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of the Dáil and Seanad be set up to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections.

That fifteen Deputies (exclusive of the Chairman of the Committee represent the Dáil and seven Senators represent the Seanad on the said Joint Committee; and that the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Committee. [Senator Quirke].

Amendment proposed (Senator Hayes:)

“To delete the second paragraph and to substitute instead the following words:—

‘That the Seanad suggests to the Dáil that in accordance with established practice, when Joint Committees have been set up, the number of members of the Committee representing the Dáil and the Seanad respectively be equal.’ ”

Another amendment proposed (Senator Douglas):

“To add at the end of the motion the following words:—

‘That, notwithstanding established procedure of Committees, the Joint Committee be empowered to present minority reports if necessary.’ ”

Question:—“That the amendment proposed by senator Hayes be made” —put. The Seanad divided: For, 18; Against, 20.

The Question was declared negatived accordingly.

Question:—“That the amendment proposed by Senator Douglas be made” —put, and negatived.

Main Question put, and agreed to. Ordered: That a Message be sent to the Dáil acquainting them accordingly.

31st January, 1946—Message from the Dâil:—

Dáil Eireann has made the following Orders:—

That a Select Committee consisting of fifteen members and the Ceann Comhairle be appointed to be Joined with a Select Committee of seven members to be appointed by the Seanad to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections;

That the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Joint Committee;

That the quorum be five, exclusive of the Chairman;

That the Committee be nominated by the Committee of Selection.’ ”

Resolved: That a Select Committee of seven members be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee consisting of fifteen members and the Ceann Comhairle to be appointed by the Dáil to consider and make recommendations on the method of regulating elections of those elected members of Seanad Eireann who are required by the Constitution to be elected from panels of candidates and the definition of the electorate for such elections;

That the Ceann Comhairle be Chairman of the Joint Committee;

That the quorum be three;

That the Committee be nominated by the Committee of Selection. ]Senator Hearne].

Ordaithe: That a Message be sent to the Dáil acquainting them accordingly.

31st January, 1946: Senators appointed to serve on the Joint Committee:—Senators Counihan, Duffy, Hayes, Hearne, Magennis, Moore and O’Dea.

10th April, 1946.—Senator W. Quirke appointed in place of Senator W. Magennis, deceased.

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