asked the Minister for Justice if he is now in a position to state on what date he will introduce the promised Town Tenants Bill.

asked the Minister for Justice whether it is his intention, during the present session of the Dáil, to introduce proposals for legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Town Tenants' Commission.

asked the Minister for Justice if the Town Tenants Bill, embodying the recommendations of the Town Tenants' Commission is yet complete; if so, whether a First Reading will be given before the Christmas recess, and, if not, whether the Minister will state an actual date for its introduction.

I hope to introduce this Bill before the Christmas adjournment.

Will the Minister say how often he has made that promise before?

Never, because this is only the first day of this session.

Does the Minister mean next Christmas?

Yes.

Will the Minister assure the House that an unnecessarily long time will not elapse between the First Reading and the Second Reading?

I take rather a different view from the Deputy. This is an important and a heavy Bill, and it would be advisable to have a certain period between the First and Second Readings so that Deputies will have an opportunity of considering the Bill fully. I do not think it would be advisable to rush the Second Reading after the First Reading, and so deprive the House of fully considering the measure.

Is the Minister not aware that Deputies have been considering this matter for the last four years and have actually lived on the Minister's promises?.

Will the Minister indicate if the period between the First and Second Stages will not be unnecessarily long?

This question really does not arise now. We have not yet seen the Bill.