andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach on what basis he stated in the Dáil on the 1st March, 1961, in reference to the electoral law that the figures ascertained at a census would not be taken into account until they had been tabulated and published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Census Figures in Reference to Electoral Law.
1.
I did not make the statement attributed to me by the Deputies.
What I did say on the occasion referred to was that I thought it highly likely that the courts would take the view that the figures ascertained at a census could not be taken into account until they had been tabulated and published.
That expression of opinion on my part was based on what seems to me to be the self-evident fact that a particular set of figures cannot be used for any purpose until those figures are actually known.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether the figures in connection with the census taken recently will be tabulated and made available before the general election?
I do not think so. The final figures derived from the census are not likely to be published until next year.
Will the public have any idea as to what the drain of emigration has done to the country?
That is a separate question.