asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate number and percentage of electors who exercised the right to vote at each local government election since 1924, making due allowance for the fact that commissioners were functioning in certain areas during such elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voting at Local Elections.
5.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
APPROXIMATE Number and Percentage of Valid Votes at Contested Local Elections.
|
Year |
Valid Votes |
Valid Votes as a Percentage of Electorate entitled to Vote |
|
1925 |
Not available |
Not available |
|
1934 |
*706,188 |
71 |
|
1942 |
*993,883 |
52 |
|
†1945 |
1,152,691 |
57 |
|
1950 |
1,085,840 |
58 |
|
1955 |
1,259,619 |
61 |
Electors in urban areas and towns can vote at both the county council and the urban or town election. Each such vote is counted in these figures.
* Figures for towns are not available for 1934 or 1942. The figures given for those years are therefore based on returns from local authorities other than town commissioners.
† The local elections in 1945 were held in conjunction with the Presidential Election.
6.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of persons on the register in the area of each local authority who were entitled to vote at the recent local elections, and the number and percentage who voted in each such area.
7.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the widespread misunderstanding by local government electors as to whether they are entitled to vote when they do not receive cards indicating their place of voting and number on the election register, such as they receive in Dáil elections, he will arrange that in future such electors will receive notification from the returning officers of their place of voting and number on the register.
8.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the extremely low poll at the recent local government elections the Government have any plans calculated to ensure that a larger number of electors will exercise their right to vote at future local government elections.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7 and 8 together.
Such returns as have so far been received in my Department from local authorities indicate that, while the poll at the recent local elections was lower in some areas than the poll at previous elections, it could not be described as "extremely low" generally. When all the figures sought by the Deputy have been received I will have them sent to him.
Legislation would be necessary to enable polling cards to be issued to voters at local elections. Proposals for the amendment of the law relating to such elections will be considered in the light of the recommendations which the Joint Committee on Electoral Law make for the amendment of the law relating to Dáil elections.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, and with particular reference to No. 8, would the Minister bear in mind that the practice of religion and the discharge of one's public duties as a citizen are closely related virtues and would he not think that elections should be held on Sundays so that those discharging their religious duties could afterwards turn into the local school, which is usually adjacent to the church, and discharge their obligation as citizens as well? That procedure would result in a much greater return of votes than having elections haphazard as they are.
The Deputy's suggestion is not a new one but there are certain people in this country who, I feel, would object to having elections on a Sunday.
We have just authorised people to drink for six hours on a Sunday.
That is not compulsory.
Voting is not compulsory either.
If their voting took place on Sunday they probably would not leave the pubs to vote. What I want to stress is the necessity for polling cards.
Would the Deputy ask a question?
The House will appreciate that any comments I might have to make on this matter must be kept to myself since this Committee which the House has set up is considering all the circumstances. I would say that all information and suggestions which Deputies have to make should be channelled into that Committee for consideration.
We are throwing them out now.