asked the Minister for Local Government what steps he proposes to take in relation to the irregularities which took place on polling day in the recent by-election in Clare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare By-Election.
27.
I have not received any official reports of irregularities at the recent by-election in Clare.
Does the Minister not consider it his duty, when he sees public reports of irregularities, to inquire into the matter?
I did not see public reports of irregularities. I saw reports of complaints by Fine Gael agents.
May I inform the Minister, as he does not seem to know, that the returning officer in question directed, and properly directed, that the two presiding officers in question will never again act as presiding officers? In my view, the papers should be sent to the Attorney General because the presiding officer not merely stamped more ballot papers than had been applied for at the time, but in addition stamped more ballot papers than there were voters on the register and in fact this was so found by the county registrar. Proceedings should be taken by the Government against the presiding officers.
It was not 7,000, was it?
I know you did it in another one, too. I cannot prove the other one but I can prove this one.
Could I get a clear indication from the Minister if he considers it to be a serious irregularity to stamp seven ballot papers in one booth and ten in another in excess of the number on the register and in the case of seven booths detected, to stamp in anticipation of people coming to vote at 1.30 p.m.? Is this a serious matter?
No, it is a very minor irregularity. There is no suggestion that any excess ballot papers were used. It is a fact that in the particular place one of the machines was out of operation. There were no complaints about irregularity.
Then why did the returning officer say he would not use them again? He was straighter than you are.
I have no reason to believe he said any such thing. The fact Deputy Sweetman says it does not mean it happened.
An bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire go raibh eolas dá thórt sin ag an Teachta Sweetman nuair a bhí comhdháil Fhine Gael ar siúl agus nuair a theastaigh uatha Kitty Murphy a chur ar leataobh?
Is maith an t-eolas atá agam faoi sin.
Could I get it from the Minister——
I am calling Question No. 28.
——whether it is in order for a presiding officer to stamp ballot papers in excess of the number on the register and to do this at 1.30 p.m.?
It is not.
He says "Peccavi, but it is a very little one.” That is a classic alibi.
Anticipating a rush of voters.
In this case although there were two booths, only one machine was working.
The Fine Gael machine was not working: that was the trouble.