asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) how many persons were convicted of personation at the last general election; (b) how many served the full term of imprisonment imposed; (c) how many served any part of any sentence of imprisonment; (d) in respect of those referred to in (c), what fraction of such sentence was served in each case, and (e) if it is the intention of the Government to repeal or amend the law relative to personation at elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remission of Personation Sentences.
The information asked for in parts (a) to (d) of this question is not available in my office and could be obtained only by circularising all district court clerks throughout the country.
The answer to the last portion of the question is in the negative.
Might I ask the Minister in how many cases he exercised the prerogative of mercy.
In a further question by Deputy McGilligan he referred to four such instances but, as a matter of fact, there were five.
Were these the total numbers?
Oh, no; there were some before that.