asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether, as a prelude to the holding of the local government elections, he will cause immediately to be made by persons technically qualified by their official experience a series of broadcasts on the various aspects of local administration, including the powers and functions of the elected bodies, with a view particularly to stimulating the interest of the younger generation of electors, who have not up to the present had an opportunity or an incentive to interest themselves in these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Elections.
I will give effect as far as possible to this suggestion. There are official publications dealing with local administration, particularly the Guide to the Social Services, which was recently published and widely circulated throughout the country.
Will the Minister say how the book entitled Guide to the Social Services is going to reach the people throughout the country?
It has been very widely distributed, but I shall try to give effect to the Deputy's suggestion as far as may be practicable.
Has the Minister any idea of the time in which he can do so?
I have not had time to consider that.
The Minister will understand that he has been considering the local elections and has fixed them for early in August. As the time is very short, it will be necessary to do this within the next week, if the interest I suggest is to be stirred up at all.
I will bear that in mind.