asked the Taoiseach if he still holds the view he expressed at the Irish Council of the European Movement Gala dinner on 22 January 1983 that the local authority and European Parliament elections should both be held on the same day; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority and European Parliament Elections.
1.
while there is no reference in the text of the speech I made on that occasion, I believe that in an "off-the-cuff" remark during my speech, I referred to advantages that had accrued from the holding of the two elections on the same day in 1979.
The question asks the Taoiseach if he is still of the same view which he expressed on that occasion, the gala dinner of the Irish Council of the European Movement to celebrate ten years of Irish membership of the EEC. The Taoiseach, in addressing the gathering did, as he has confirmed now, state that it would be his desire that the local authority elections and the European election would be held on the same day. I understand the Taoiseach went into the matter at some length to explain the advantages to Ireland, one of which would be to ensure a substantial turnout in the number of the electorate going to the polls.
The Deputy is making a speech.
My question has not been answered. I asked in a written question and I repeat it now, is the Taoiseach of the same opinion that this is what should happen?
I said I made off-the-cuff remarks on that occasion which were not actually in the text of the speech at all. They have been taken somewhat out of context by the Deputy. There are, of course, advantages in holding the two elections on the same day and there are disadvantages. It seemed to me useful to have had the two on the same day in 1979 and it is a fact which should be borne in mind among others, in deciding the question of the dates of the elections.
Rather than the casual remark which the Taoiseach now seems to attribute to his comments on that occasion, is it in fact not true that he spoke at some length on this particular matter and laid great emphasis on it?
There were many people present listening to him on that occasion.
I cannot remember the exact length I spoke on the subject but the remarks were not in the text of my speech. They were made in an ad lib fashion. As the Deputy knows, it sometimes helps to liven up such occasions to depart from the script and add in some remarks on the spot. My recollection of the exact words I used is not entirely clear but I can assure the Deputy that there seemed to me to be a potential advantage in holding the two together. I know there are alternative views, that it is a mistake to mix the two and that it creates difficulties for people in contesting the two elections. There is a balance to be found between the two views and we have to make a judgement on each occasion.
I am pleased that the Taoiseach has confirmed that he made these remarks. He referred to it at great length, he expressed his own personal view on the matter. Will the Taoiseach confirm if it is the case that on 30 November he informed this House that the Government would make a decision regarding the date of the local authority elections in a couple of weeks? That was 30 November and today is 14 December. Could the Taoiseach inform the House if the Government have yet made this decision?
We will make the decision in the very near future.
Are we to attach any credence to the statements the Taoiseach is making? He is now going back on what he said at the dinner in Jury's Hotel and he is going back on what he told the Dáil when he said he would make a decision in a couple of weeks.
I am not going back on what I said at all. I said then that there were certain advantages in having the two elections held together and I assert that that is the case. There are other views to the contrary and the question of how compelling that argument is is something to be weighed up against other considerations on any given occasion.
Is the Taoiseach aware that since last June, in reply to questions I have raised with him and with the former Minister for the Environment, the House and I have been informed that the question of fixing the date for the local elections was under consideration? It seems from the answers which I have received which are on the record of this House, that this matter has been before the Government since last June but they have as yet failed to make a decision on whether the elections will be held in 1984 if we are to accept what the Taoiseach now informs the House, that no decision has yet been made? I thought this was to be positive Government, capable of making decisions. It is a matter of very great importance.
The Deputy must confine himself to a question.
I am asking the Taoiseach if he is aware that in reply to questions this is what was said? I am asking him if he will confirm that this is so and that he is aware that these answers have been given? If so what comment has he to make on it?
I have made the comment that the Government will make a decision on the matter in the near future.
(Interruptions.)
Is the Taoiseach aware that some of the Labour members of his Government are making statements that the local elections will not be held next year?
I am not so aware, but I cannot be aware of everything everybody says.
(Interruptions.)
Am I right in assuming from the nature of the Taoiseach's reply that he is not to be taken seriously——
That is argument.
——when he is speaking off the cuff, that we are only to take seriously the comments that are contained in the script issued by him? That certainly was the impression conveyed across the House by him.
I am ruling that question out on the grounds that it is argumentative.
If you are, could I ask the Taoiseach if he is aware of a statement by his deputy leader and Minister for Foreign Affairs — following a council meeting of Foreign Ministers when the issue of the European elections was discussed in Brussels — that both elections would be held on the same day in 1984. Is the Taoiseach aware of this? What comment, in the light of his own side-stepping, has he to offer on the fairly forthright statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
I am not aware of it. I note the Deputy's comment.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the information given to me in the House by the former Minister for the Environment that it would cost £1 million to hold the local elections on a day other than the date of the European election? In view of this information, his own record on financial stringency and his record in relation to open government and giving the people their say, he is now running away from his commitments and his assertions on those principles which he has made on many occasions in the past.
I am not so aware.
Can the Taoiseach tell us exactly when he will make the decision? We have heard the words "in the near future" so often from him——
The Deputy must ask a question.
Will it be tomorrow or before Christmas? Can the Taoiseach give us an exact date and not continue misleading this House?
As soon as possible.
I have never misled the House.
The Taoiseach said the decision had not yet been made. I am asking him when it will be made?
Would the Taoiseach not accept that the most urgent priority at present in local government is the drastic and major overhaul of the entire system and that this should take precedence over all other matters?
Obviously Deputy Manning is not interested in standing in the next six months?
(Interruptions.)
I am aware of the importance of local government reform and this is one of the complications in the situation. Fundamental changes are required in local government in Dublin and there are changes required elsewhere. This poses a problem which the Government have to resolve as to whether the local elections should best be held under those circumstances.
I am calling Deputy Noel Treacy.
Can the Taoiseach tell us when he will make the decision?
Did the Deputy hear me? I have called Deputy Noel Treacy.
The Taoiseach did not answer my question.
Deputy Noel Treacy.
In view of the fact that the European elections must be held in June 1984, could the Taoiseach inform the House as to the reasons that a decision vis-à-vis the local government elections has not been taken during this Dáil session?
The Government have many matters before them of urgent importance and they take things in order, in sequence related to their urgency. This is not the most urgent matter. The election is six months hence. They have many matters to decide important to the life of the people, to the economy, to employment and to the financing of the State. We take first things first.
(Interruptions.)
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Taoiseach's reply I wish to give notice that I intend to have the matter raised on the Adjournment. Also, in view of the fact that local authorities are to be grossly under-funded in 1984, as is evident from the figures published in this Book of Estimates here today——
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Molloy. That is mostly out of order.