asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the estimated cost of holding a referendum; how much of that cost will fall on the taxpayers, and how much on the rate-payers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Referendum.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the estimated cost of holding a referendum to amend the Constitution.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the estimated inclusive cost to the State and to local authorities of holding a referendum.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to answer Questions Nos. 43, 44 and 45 together.
Since no referendum has yet been held it has not been necessary to prescribe a scale of charges under Section 12 of the Referendum Act, 1942, and it is not possible, therefore, to make a reliable estimate of the cost of holding a referendum. The entire cost of a referendum is, under the Act, chargeable to the Central Fund.
I might mention for the information of the Deputies that the cost of the 1957 General Election was approximately £78,000. The cost of a referendum would be somewhat less than that.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state how he proposes to find this money? Will the cost of it be met by extra taxation or by savings?
I told the Deputy that it is chargeable to the Central Fund. It is hardly necessary to tell a Deputy of Deputy Lynch's intelligence any more than that.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state whether the Government would be surcharged in regard to this expenditure when they lose the referendum?
They are fairly safe in that case.
We have words from Solomon. Let Solomon speak.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state how many intending emigrants this would keep in the country?
You are all afraid of the people. That is the one thing that stands out.
You codded them before but you will not cod them this time.