asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether it is intended to hold local elections in 1950, and, if so, whether he will assure Dáil Éireann that the proposed Bill to amend the County Management Acts will be introduced in sufficient time to enable it to be fully considered and, if passed into law, to be fully understood by the electorate prior to the local elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Management Act.
Under existing law, local elections are required to be held before the end of September, 1950. No decision has yet been made in regard to the date but it will most likely be in the month of June. It was my intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the County Management Acts in the present session, but pressure of other parliamentary business has prevented this. I hope to be able to introduce the new measure early in the next session. I cannot predict when the Bill will become law as this is a matter for the Oireachtas, but I am hopeful that it will have passed long before the local elections.
Will the Minister state when it is proposed to hold the local elections in Dublin and Kerry?
That is a matter to be determined later.
The Minister must appreciate the importance of letting the decision be known at an early date.
Will the Minister say if the Bill to amend the County Management Act is ready, and if it has been approved by the Government and has been submitted to the parliamentary draftsman?
It has not been approved of by the Government yet.