asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of the present restrictions affecting various branches of Government expenditure, he will state the reasons why the Presidential and local elections will be held on different days.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Presidential and Local Elections.
15.
andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state fully the reasons why it has been decided to hold the Presidential election on a different day from the local authority elections.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
It is the considered view of the Government that in the circumstances of this year the holding of the Presidential and local elections on the same date would be undesirable. In arriving at this decision we had regard to previous experience in 1945 of the holding of these elections on the same day.
In taking the decision not to repeat the 1945 experience the Government considered also the possibility that they might have the concurrence therein of the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party, and of the newspapers which ordinarily follow the line taken by these Parties, in view of the strong criticism which the then leaders Deputies Mulcahy and Costello and the late Deputies Norton and R. Corish expressed of the decision to hold both elections on the same date on that occasion on the ground that it was designed to serve the political interests of the Fianna Fáil Party.
I do not wish to suggest that the decision to hold the Presidential and local government elections on separate dates in this year was influenced to any considerable extent by the expectation that the Fine Gael and Labour Parties and their supporting newspapers would not take a different view on this occasion. Our decision was based on a careful assessment of the experience of 1945, which made it clear that it would be more conducive to the proper conduct of each election to hold them on separate dates.
Is the Minister aware that the Fianna Fáil economic axe has fallen on health, education, housing, the Garda Band and the FCA? In view of the fact that the country is now facing a serious financial crisis, why is it that the Minister is prepared to plunge the country into the expense and uncertainty of two elections?
The additional expense, placed against the holding of these elections properly, is not a matter of great significance.
Surely the Minister knows that the figures he has given are not the correct and proper figures. Surely the Minister knows that the holding of these two elections will cost the country about half a million pounds.
Is the Deputy questioning the veracity of answers given in the Dáil?
It will cost five times as much to hold the two elections separately.
Would the Minister tell us why the Presidential election and the referendum were held on the same day in 1959?
The general idea at that time was that it would have been more convenient for the people to hold them together. I thought then and I think now that it was the wrong decision.
And you made the decision yourself?
That is so.
Would the Minister agree that he thought the name of Mr. de Valera would swing the votes of the people in favour of Fianna Fáil?
It is my opinion that if the Referendum had taken place some months earlier, before the minds of the people were confused by the Opposition, the result would have been different.
Incidentally would the Minister say which of the daily newspapers supports the Labour Party?
Take your pick.
Is it to be taken from the Minister's reply that if we have one election, it will cost £70,000 and that if we have two separate elections, it will cost only £100,000?
I did not give any such reply. There is a question later on regarding the question of costs.
17.
andMr. P. Hogan (South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the approximate costs of holding an election for local authorities.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government the estimated cost of local elections if held (a) on the same day as a Presidential election and (b) on a separate day.
19.
asked the Minister for Local Government the estimated cost to the State of running the coming local authority elections.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 17, 18 and 19 together.
The cost of holding local elections is borne by the local authorities and could range from about £100,000 to £120,000, depending on the extent to which local authorities decide to issue polling cards. The cost of local elections, if held on the same date as a Presidential election, would be approximately £70,000.
Has the Minister made up his mind as to the date for the local elections?
Not as to the exact date.
Will we know it this week?
I doubt it.
You cannot make up your minds.
Will we know it this year?
You will.
Will it be before or after the summer recess of the Dáil?
Certainly not before it.
Will they be held before Christmas?
That is the jackpot question.
Some people are saying that they will not be held until next year.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government the estimated number of persons officially engaged on an election day in conducting elections for (i) the Presidency and (ii) local authorities if held on (a) separate days and (b) the same day.
The employment of such persons is the responsibility of the returning officers concerned and details of the numbers so employed are not available in my Department.