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Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jul 1941

Vol. 25 No. 22

Local Elections (Amendment) Bill, 1941—Second and Subsequent Stages.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time".

Last year, owing to the emergency conditions arising out of the war, it was agreed to postpone local elections for a further year. As conditions have not improved but are, in fact, more serious, it would not be in the public interest to hold elections at the present time, and in this Bill statutory authority is sought for their postponement for a further period of one year.

Several circumstances have contributed to the postponement of local elections for some years past. In 1937 they were due to be held but were postponed owing to a general election in that year. The Local Elections (Postponement) Act then passed gave authority for postponement for a period of three years, that is, up to the 30th September, 1940. Important measures were promoted for the reorganisation of local government during that period and the holding of elections was deferred pending these measures becoming law.

This Bill, while postponing the elections for a further year, provides that if elections should be held in the present year, the portion of the present year ending on the day of the election would be deemed to be a year in which triennial elections were not held. The intention of this provision is to place beyond doubt the authority to hold annual or first quarterly meetings of local bodies between 21st June and 1st July. It is not intended to hold elections this year, but if there should be a return to normal conditions before the end of the year, the position could be further considered.

Question put and agreed to.
Agreed that the remaining stages of the Bill be taken now.
Bill passed through Committee without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.
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