asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether it is proposed to hold an election for the Leix County Council this month; and, if not, if he will state for what reason this election will not take place; and what is the statutory authority under which he proposes to prevent such an election taking place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Election.
In consequence of my Order of the 5th June, 1934, dissolving the Laoighis County Council under the provisions of Section 72 of the Local Government Act, 1925, no election of members to that body can be held until a further Order is made under sub-section (5) of that section. Such an Order must be made before the expiration of three years, but it is not proposed to make a further Order at present.
Can the Minister say what is the reason why the local electors of Laoighis are not allowed to elect a county council this month?
I think it should be apparent to anybody who read the evidence given at the inquiry that it was necessary to have some overhauling of the machinery there, and I think the best way to do it is to put in somebody who would be individually responsible for carrying it out.
Can the Minister say what is disclosed in that evidence?
It is very obvious.
Surely, where the Minister takes an action such as the prevention of an election like this he should, at least, summarise briefly the reason for his action?
I am quite satisfied that everybody reads the newspapers and is fully aware of the reasons.
Are we to understand from the Minister that Deputies in this House must read the newspapers?
I hope not.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether it is intended to hold an election this month for the County Council of Kilkenny; if not, if he will state for what reason that election will not be held; and what is the statutory authority under which he is preventing an election taking place.
In consequence of my Order of the 2nd June, 1934, dissolving the Kilkenny County Council under the provisions of Section 72 of the Local Government Act, 1925, no election of members to that body can be held until a further Order is made under sub-section (5) of that section. Such an Order must be made before the expiration of three years, but it is not proposed to make a further Order at present.
Can the Minister say what reasons are given in this case?
The sole reason why the County Council of Kilkenny was dissolved was on account of the state of its rate collection.
Is the Minister aware that during the last financial year the ratepayers of County Kilkenny paid a sum in rates only £3,800 less than they paid the year before, whereas the Government grants to the County Council of Kilkenny were £57,000 less than they were for the year before? Is it not the Government which is in default as far as the financial position of County Kilkenny is concerned?
It is not the Government is in default.
Will the Minister say why, the County Council having been dissolved because £3,800 less were collected this year than last year, the Government is not dissolved for paying £57,000 less for the upkeep of the Kilkenny County Council in the same year?
The question does not arise.
With your permission, might I say that on the 31st March there was 53.2 per cent. of the Kilkenny rates uncollected?
Will the Minister say what percentage of the grants paid the year before was the amount of money issued by the Government last year to the Kilkenny County Council? I submit that it was much less than 57 per cent?