Polling-day referendum advertisement
Horgan questioned an appeal broadcast two hours before polls closed, suggesting it may have harmed turnout. The Taoiseach referred to advertising throughout the preceding week and said Fianna Fáil was the only party to pay for its own advertisements; members disputed the exchange.
Does the Taoiseach not agree that the result of the referenda in terms of turn-out might have been more satisfactory if somebody, presumably from the Government Information Services, had not broadcast an appeal on the evening of polling day urging people to go out the following day to vote?
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach say who had responsibility for taking that decision and issuing that advertisement on polling day, two hours before the polls closed?
Comment on this
There were advertisements the whole week before that. The Deputy did not mention that. I might add that Fianna Fáil were the only party who spent money themselves on advertisements.
