Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have no problem with this. The commission, logically, would have to have that flexibility. I have a question about whether consideration has been given to amending Article 16.2.2°, given that the population is growing at the rate it is. It might need to be changed to reflect that by either a greater number of people per Deputy or an increase beyond that. Otherwise, we could continue to grow the numbers in the Dáil. I do not think that the Chamber will hold many more Members. However, outside of that practical consideration, will it be the case that in 50 years’ time we will have a Dáil with 200 Members? In other jurisdictions they have lower numbers per head of population. In some others they have a smaller number. A conversation needs to be had at some stage. Although this does not necessarily have to be at this stage, it should be soon enough.

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