asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose of reducing the deposit required from Dáil candidates from £100 to £50.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Candidates' Election Deposits.
It is not intended to introduce such legislation.
In view of the fact that the present regulations, which impose on a candidate an obligation to deposit £100 when he intimates his intention to contest an election, inflict on those candidates who are by no means freak candidates a very severe financial hardship, would the Minister examine the matter with a view to reducing the amount of the deposit, which has been so arbitrarily fixed, from £100, a sum which has no scientific or logical basis?
I have said that it is not proposed to introduce such legislation. We have already considered it and it is not proposed to make any reduction in the amount of the deposit.