Vol. 176 No. 11
I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £18,250 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1960, for Expenses under the Electoral Act, 1923, and the Juries Act, 1927 (No. 12 of 1923 and No. 23 of 1927).
Is this the Estimate in respect of which there will be a supplementary estimate later to cover the cost of the referendum?
No. I believe the expenses of elections come under the Central Fund.
For a referendum?
Out of the Central Fund?
Is the Fianna Fáil Party not going to pay the cost of the referendum?
That will be paid. It is out of the Central Fund. Why should we pay it? Was there not a Presidential Election forced on us?
I should like to know what steps the Minister is going to take in connection with a particular matter. In my area we have presiding officers and personating agents at election times from the Minister's Party who are also gangers for county councils——
Surely that does not arise on this Estimate?
I feel that it does, in this way. If a man is not prepared to vote openly in a certain way he is told that he need not turn in the next day.
The Minister is not responsible for that.
He or his Party is responsible and his Party alone because I see in my area men being sacked if they do not vote in a certain way.
That matter does not arise. It is not relevant and the Deputy will get another occasion on which to raise it.
And I will take it.
Do presiding officers not get paid out of this?
No.
