Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Yes. While that is the reason being given, the Minister is aware that both local elections or a local plebiscite as proposed would be paid for by the local council. Every local council meets at budget time to put aside a certain amount of money for local elections. For example, Portlaoise Town Council is doing so this afternoon and will put by some money for local elections. This does not place a burden on the Exchequer and there is no cost to Revenue in this regard. If one considers the example of Dublin, the Minister proposes to hold a plebiscite on the same day as the local elections. In other words, such plebiscites could be held on the same day as local elections, the only cost being the provision of a certain number of ballot papers and a couple of extra ballot boxes. There would be the same number of staff, election tellers and everything else. Consequently, I believe the reason these amendments have been ruled out of order does not hold up and is not valid. I argue strongly that people in Waterford, Limerick and the other areas affected should have the right to a plebiscite on whether they wish to retain the city councils. The question of a cost on the Revenue does not exist because such a plebiscite could be carried out on the same day as local elections and local councils pay for such elections.