I beg to move the Report Stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, 1923. Perhaps, I should state, in connection with this Bill, that the returns up to the latest date for unemployed in the Saorstát is 28,972 persons, and it is of interest to know that over 25,000 of the unemployed are entitled to the maximum of benefit under the Bill, of 15 weeks. I formally move the Report Stage.

Might I ask the Minister when he proposes to take the next Stage, and when this Bill will go before the Seanad, because there are numbers of people throughout the country who have not been in receipt of any benefit for the past six weeks, and as it is a very serious matter, I would ask him to facilitate the passage of this Bill.

If the Report Stage is to be passed now, since no amendments are on the paper, we could take the final stage afterwards, if that meets with approval.

I think that would be a desirable thing to do. When will it go before the Seanad? Has the President any control over the Seanad, and can he get them to meet as soon as possible?

Oh, none whatever. The Seanad is a very useful body, and we ought not to antagonise them, as is sometimes done.

Some unemployment insurance will be required for the Seanad.