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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Returning Officers' Functions.

Polling station arrangements

Summary

Desmond and Quinn cited dissatisfaction with polling station arrangements and election administration, urging a review and pointing to complaints in Dublin. The Minister said he knew of no complaints and defended county registrars’ performance.

Is the Minister aware that in a number of urban areas, particularly the South County Dublin area, there has been massive dissatisfaction among the electorate, the candidates and the public representatives about the arrangements made in terms of requisition of polling stations?

Comment on this
Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We are getting into another area.

Comment on this

On that basis a change should be made.

Comment on this

Since the 1937 Constitution they have been acting in this way. Neither my Department nor I have received any complaints that election campaigns have not been conducted in a proper manner.

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Will the Minister accept that there was considerable disquiet in the combined European and local elections last year? If there are no official or formal complaints in the Custom House, he might check the complaints lodged in Upper Mount Street about the handling of this matter. Without giving a commit-ment to the House here and now, would he review this unsatisfactory situation?

Comment on this

I do not know of any complaints. I was involved in a recount situation the first time I was elected. The returning officer at that time did an excellent job. Down the years I have known county registrars and they have always done a very good job.

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