On the section, why say "subject to sub-section (2) of this section, the poll, if any, at a referendum, etc." Why say "if any"? Does not a referendum imply a poll?
Public Business. - Referendum (Amendment) Bill, 1946— Committee and Final Stages.
I think that is strictly correct, and that the Senator is right.
Should we not take out the words "if any"? I think they have been copied from the other Bill under which there need not necessarily be a poll. If permission is granted by the House, I am prepared now to move the deletion of the words.
Permission to move for the deletion of the words "if any" granted.
I move:—
In section 2 (1), line 16, after the word "poll" to delete the words, "if any".
The purpose of the amendment is quite evident. It is considered desirable that the notification of the result of the Referendum should be communicated directly to the President as well as to the Taoiseach, since the President is instrumental in calling for the Referendum and is directly interested in its result. We felt it desirable that all messages in regard to the holding of a Referendum should be communicated directly to him and not only to the Government and, through the Government, to him.
It is a courtesy amendment; it is not any harm to be courteous, though at one time it used to be out of fashion.