§ (1) If the Government of Southern Ireland signify their desire to acquire for the use of the Parliament of Southern Ireland the premises (hereinafter referred to as "the bank premises ") of the Bank of Ireland situate in or near College Green, in the City of Dublin, they shall be entitled to do so on the fulfilment of the following conditions:—
- (a) there shall be provided at the expense of the Government of Southern Ireland for the use of the bank premises suitable and ready for occupation as head office of the Bank of Ireland;
- (b) there shall be paid to the bank compensation in respect of the bank premises and of disturbance, after taking into consideration the value of the new premises to be provided as aforesaid;
§ and on the publication in the Dublin Gazette of an Order by His Majesty in Council declaring that the said conditions have been fulfilled, the bank premises shall vest in His Majesty for the use of the Parliament of Southern Ireland.
§ (2) Any question as to whether the premises so to be provided are suitable or ready for occupation, or as to the amount of compensation, shall be determined by a court of arbitration consisting of one person appointed by the Bank of Ireland, one person appointed by the Government of Southern Ireland, and a judge of a Supreme Court of Justice for any part of the United Kingdom (who shall be the chairman of the court) appointed by His Majesty, and there shall be paid to the members of the court, other than the chairman, such fees or other remuneration as the chairman of the court may determine to be proper, and those fees or remuneration and any other expenses of the court shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund of Southern Ireland.—[Sir L. Worthington-Evans.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI beg to move "That the Clause be read a Second time.
§ This Clause provides that, if the Parliament of Southern Ireland should wish to take over the old Parliament House, which is now occupied by the Bank of Ireland, compensation shall be paid to the Bank for disturbance, and a special tribunal shall be set up for the purpose of assessing the compensation. This Clause has really to be read in connection with another Clause, which provides that the cost of Parliament buildings and Department buildings shall be provided for by the British Exchequer. Taking these two Clauses together, a method is provided whereby the Southern Parliament can get back its old Parliament House, and a method of assessing the compensation.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Proposed Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.