asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the long delay on the part of registration authorities in submitting the number of electors for their areas in respect of the year 1977-1978; and if he will now furnish the information requested concerning the number of electors for each constituency in the country in respect of that year 1977-1978.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the information requested. I understand that the delay on the part of some registration authorities in furnishing the figures, which was not unduly long, arose from printing delays.

Following is the statement:

Register of Electors 1977-78 (55th)

Table showing for each constituency as defined in the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1974, the number of Dáil electors on the register of electors which came into force on the 15th April, 1977 on the basis of information supplied by registration authorities.