Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak to the Bill this evening. During the recent election campaign I was asked many times, as a new candidate, why I had decided to run in politics. One of the main reasons was to become involved in political reform. There is a strong sense of cynicism in the electorate. People feel politics has failed them in many respects. I have always believed that the system could be changed but this can only be done from the inside.

The cynicism I refer to has affected all politics. Change is so important that we must, as a collective, restore people's faith in politics. Pope John Paul II once referred to politics as a "noble art". I believe in this sentiment, having grown up with the history of Collins, Cosgrave, Costello and FitzGerald. I want to see politicians once again in the same light in which those true statesmen are viewed. To do this we must change how politics work and make it more relevant to people's daily lives.

How can we best do this? We must recognise that one amendment will not change everything. National politics has always been linked with local authorities and local representation. We cannot change the representation of the Dáil or the role of the Deputy without changing our local councils and the role of councillors. Prior to the recent general election I met many constituents who expressed their desire that I should deal with national issues, if elected, rather than parish pump politics. Since my election on 25 February, I have met many constituents who want me to deal with more local issues that affect their lives while pursuing national issues in how they affect my constituency of Kildare South.

It is vital to balance local and national issues. A public representative should remain aware of the issues affecting constituents locally while dealing with national issues that affect constituents' lives in other less direct ways. To best do so, the role of the Deputy must be supported by strong local representation in local authorities. By empowering and adequately funding local government, we can greatly support the Deputy in spending more time on legislative issues.

This Bill will see the constituency commission charged with relocating constituency boundaries while returning fewer Deputies to the Dáil. If we are to reduce the number of Deputies, at the same time we must consider the role local authority members can play in the new political landscape. If the number of Deputies is to be reduced at a time when the population is continuing to increase, the role of the Deputy will have to change to take cognisance of the greater number of people each Deputy will be representing.

I agree with the recommendation that the commission should try to keep constituencies within county boundaries. I encourage the commission to act in such a manner. People have an affinity with where they are from. It is a great help for them to be able to connect with their public representatives if they share a common bond. This is already proving to be a reforming Dáil. A record number of new Members were returned at this year's general election. There is a great sense of opportunity and possibility at this time. I feel empowered by the opportunity to change the system. Some important reforms have taken place since March. The pay of the Taoiseach and Ministers has been cut. The arrangements for ministerial cars and drivers have been changed. Radical changes have been made to the pensions system.

Previous speakers referred to the old system for organising by-elections with particular reference to the vacancy that arose in Donegal South-West during the previous Dáil. An important point needs to be made in that context. I believe it will be addressed. I would welcome it. Decisions on representation in this Chamber should not be made at the whim of any Government, including this one. It is important for such decisions to be taken out of the hands of the Government of the day. I discovered when the census results were published recently that I represent more than the permitted maximum of 30,000 people. I look forward to the review of constituencies and boundaries.

Politics needs to regain credibility. If this is to happen, we must show the ability to reform. We must listen to the people who comprise our electorate. If they have become cynical, it is because politics failed them in the past. Many of them do not believe politicians have the good of the public at heart. It is up to us to restore trust and confidence through our actions and hard work. If we are to regain trust and a belief in honesty and fairness, we must remember we are here to serve. This Bill is a good starting point. I hope we can build on the proposals in it to restore a system people will believe in.

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