§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the accounts and vouchers of returning officers at Parliamentary elections in Ireland are subject to audit by any public authority except a court; if he will explain why bogus accounts and vouchers are never disallowed except in an action; and whether the returning officer at the last Parliamentary election in North Westmeath will be required to produce his accounts and vouchers forthwith for examination?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)Under the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers) Act, 1875 (38 and 39 Vic., c. 84) and amending Acts, there are abundant provisions at the instance of the person liable for payment, for the audit and taxation of returning officers' accounts, even including an appeal to the superior courts. So far as I know, there is no other audit. I have no information about the North Westmeath case referred to by the hon. Gentleman.