asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the names of the persons returned as Teachtaí Dála to the Fifth Dáil at the elections in June, 1927, who did not take their seats; whether the deposit was returned to each of said persons, and, if not, whether the Minister intends to return the deposits to each of the said persons or their representatives.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fifth Dáil Election Deposits.
The following Teachtaí returned to serve in the Dáil at the General Election of June, 1927, did not take their seats:—Messrs. A.E. Clery, D.R. Kent, A. Stack, O. Traynor, Dr. J.A. Madden, Mrs. C. Brugha and Countess Markievicz.
Except in the case of Countess Markievicz, who died before the dissolution of the Dáil on the 25th August, 1927, the election deposits of these Teachtaí were forfeíted under the terms of Section 20 (5) (b) of the Electoral Act, 1923, and paid into the Exchequer.
The forfeiture of these deposits was a statutory requirement and accordingly I am unable to take any steps with a view to having them returned.