In regard to this question of the count, undoubtedly if we wanted to find difficulties, we could find them in the sort of situation which appears likely to arise in regard to the counting of the various boxes in different centres. However, we have to remember that the presiding officers will be warned to make every effort to ensure that the ballot papers go into the proper boxes. Assuming that after the election the checking of all votes will commence at the same time, although perhaps in different places, which is quite in order, this will be the procedure: First, the local authority election returning officers, on checking their boxes, will be obliged to extract from them any papers which rightfully belong to the Dáil elections. Undoubtedly, those papers will have to find their way to the centre appointed for the double county constituency, which is Kilkenny. I do not think that will give rise to any undue problems. The main thing is that it will not cause any difficulty in the sense that a wrong result might be arrived at during the transit of any of these papers from one point to another.
As I say, this could give rise to difficulties, but not insurmountable difficulties, if we are, as we all appear to be, anxious to have both elections on the same day. There is no doubt that these difficulties can be got over. The experience in 1945, which is a parallel case, did not disclose any insurmountable difficulties in this regard. I am relying to a large extent on the experience gained throughout the country at that time for guidance in this matter. On the surface, it would appear to be a difficult problem, but I think in operation it may not prove to be so difficult.
