asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the presiding officer in Clonaslee, County Laoighis, on the day of the polling at the last general election announced that after 6 p.m. he would permit no illiterate votes to be recorded, and acted accordingly, with the result that between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. many persons in Clonaslee who could not see or write were denied the right to vote and were refused ballot papers; and, if so, whether he will state on what authority the presiding officer acted in this matter; and if he will see to it that this does not happen in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis Election: Presiding Officer's Decision.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer the Deputy to Rule 24 of Part I of the 5th Schedule to the Electoral Act, 1923.