What's the margin of error for counting votes in Ireland?

[MsAnneThrope]

We've seen some candidates elected in the past by a mere handful of votes. Some of today's votes will be very tight too. Some questions please...

• Historically in Ireland what do you think the margin of error for counting votes is and do you know of any landmark recounts that totally changed the result?
  
  
• Also what criteria must be met for a recount to be made/demanded? I shamefully admit I don't actually know. Is it when the result is x% of a difference. If so, what is x? Or can a candidate/party just ask for one even if it looks like he/she hasn't a chance? Is there a limit to the number of times votes must be recounted?
  
  
• And how safe is our counting process do you think, that it cannot be abused?

Go raibh maith agat.

[Question R24U]

very few errors. Maybe 6 in every 10,000 votes. Ben Briscoe in 92 was the big one. Laois county council is best recorded - the returning officer put it into a book - including disputed ballots. It is a difficult book to find.

[MsAnneThrope]

very few errors. Maybe 6 in every 10,000 votes. Ben Briscoe in 92 was the big one. Laois county council is best recorded - the returning officer put it into a book - including disputed ballots. It is a difficult book to find.

Can you remind me what happened Briscoe in 92 please?