asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the cottage of Michael Callanan, of Kilmoylerane, Clonakilty, was used as a polling booth, in the Dáil Election, 1923, and that no payment was made in respect of same since, and whether the claim will not be settled.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CLONAKILTY POLLING BOOTH.
In a letter from the Department of Finance, dated 22nd July last, authority for payment of the amount of this claim was conveyed to the returning officer for the constituency of West Cork, Mr. John Jermyn, 67 South Mall, Cork, to whom application for payment should be made by the claimant.
Can the Minister say if the returning officer is personally responsible for these accounts or is the State responsible?
I could not answer that at the moment. I know that we are able to refuse payment of certain expenses incurred by a returning officer if they are improper expenses. In certain cases payment has been refused, but this payment has been sanctioned.
The point is whether the applicant's grievance is against the returning officer or against the State if the returning officer declines or refuses or delays payment, once it has been sanctioned.
I think his grievance is against the returning officer, but if the returning officer failed to do his duty in meeting these charges it would be our duty, the same as in any other question of failure, to deal with him.