asked the Minister for Local Government the proposed date for (a) the Presidential election, and (b) the local authority elections.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Presidential and Local Elections.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which the Presidential and local elections will be held.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government when it is proposed to hold the local elections.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.
Presidential election: 1st June; no date yet decided for holding of local elections but they will not be held on the same day as the Presidential election.
Will the Minister give the precise reason why these elections are to be held on different dates? Further, will he say what is the estimated cost of these elections?
These are three different questions.
In relation to my first question, surely the Minister can give me the precise reason it has been decided to hold these elections on different dates, particularly when he remembers the Presidential election in 1945 was held in conjunction with the local elections?
I do. I have not been asked that. If the Deputy wants an answer in some detail——
Put down another question. I know the Minister is a bit tired, but I think he should give us a reply.
I think I have replied more than could be expected to the questions.
The Minister said the elections are to be held on different dates. Can he not give a reason?
I will, next week.
In view of the fact that the last local elections cost £71,000 and the last Presidential election, which was held in conjunction with the referendum, cost £75,000, can the Minister say what justification there is for holding the elections on separate dates, in view of the very high cost involved and the fact there is a considerable shortage of money for essential projects at present?
I have already been asked that by Deputy Corish and the same reply as I gave to his supplementaries applies.
Is it going to take the Minister a week to think up a good one?
He is waiting to see public reaction first and then devise some answer to it.
If you want information, ask for it.
We know the reasons. They are low-down political motives on the part of Fianna Fáil, who would bleed the country for any selfish political purpose while essential expenditure for such things as the Turnapin drainage can go to blazes.
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.
The answer is political corruption.
Why are you so disappointed about this?
Why waste public money? The FCA cannot be trained for a fortnight.
(Interruptions.)
Are you borrowing this money in Zurich, New York or where?
Do not blow your gasket.
It is a downright disgrace. You will lose both, and on the price of it, and deservedly so.
I am calling Question No. 21.
I have been on my feet for three minutes, Sir.
Several questions have been asked on this matter.
And I am going to ask one.
Question No. 21.
Are you allowing my question, Sir?
I allowed several of them.
The whole of Ireland is asking this question.
The Deputy knows the answer, according to himself.
It is about time the Minister admitted it.
We are going to have a bad Budget.
Will the Minister be in a position next week to state the exact date of the local elections?
Did he not tell the Fianna Fáil Party yesterday morning, 20th October?
I do not want to be disorderly.
You could give a lesson in it.
The Chair should have allowed more supplementary questions on this.