Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I indicated earlier, I have sympathy for the issue of titles of constituencies where it comes as a surprise at the end of the process. I acknowledge that Dublin South-East was a particular surprise. I am sure the Taoiseach thought it a surprise that one seat was taken out of Mayo as well, which shows how independent the commission was. It is the first time in the history of the State the Taoiseach's constituency lost a seat, which is worth noting and to which I draw the attention of Deputy Ó Cuív. The independence of the commission is beyond reproach and it has demonstrated as much on this occasion more than any other occasion, from that point of view.

It is very difficult to align county boundaries when there are legal and constitutional requirements on the population numbers needed for a seat. When the number of Deputies is being reduced, it is even more difficult. The people of west Cavan and south Donegal did not expect to be in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, even though Leitrim is put back together again. It was purely on the basis of getting the numbers to coincide with our legal and constitutional requirements. There are swings and roundabouts, as Deputy Coffey said, and sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. As the Vice Chairman said, the people themselves, anecdotally and in practice, will be able to articulate where the geography of a particular constituency is, irrespective of how it is named in the commission's report.

I do not believe turnout is affected by the way a constituency is named. People are going to vote for a party or a candidate.