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

Like the other Deputies, I have always favoured larger constituencies. We should approach this and get it right at the lower end, which is to set the local electoral boundaries and try not to breach them insofar as possible. The reason I say that is there is an affinity to or an identification with local authorities, and there are local authorities where parts of their remit are in other constituencies. For example, in my case in South Dublin County Council, there is a small portion, two wards, that are not serviced by the political representatives in that constituency as much as if they were a lot larger or a larger portion, or if they were in the rest of South Dublin County Council. I understand it is difficult for a commission to try to juggle and move smaller bits of the local electoral areas, LEAs, around to try to ensure we match the figures in the Constitution or in what has been set out here.

The other problem is geographical and county boundaries, as mentioned by Deputy Ó Broin. Every electoral commission is supposed to have heed to the geographical boundaries. I remember when the Liffey was breached - I think it was in 1997 - and suddenly all of Ballyfermot was put with the north inner city for some bizarre reason. There was no connection in any shape or form. Something similar has happened in various areas and we all can probably cite areas that have no relationship. Parts of what is traditionally called Crumlin in my electoral area are in Dublin Bay South. In recognition of that, for a period the returning officer allowed the people there to vote in a polling booth in Dublin South-Central rather than in Dublin South East, as it was known at the time. That was a recognition that they would not have voted otherwise. It has changed since then.

The final point is that while in some ways I understand the reason for the changes and continuous boundary reviews, the constant tinkering interferes with people voting. People grow to understand their areas, so if somebody is not connected with politics and is disaffected with life, it is very difficult to encourage that person to vote if he or she does not know the constituency and does not identify with it. Although it is in the Constitution and in legislation, if one keeps shifting bits in and bits out in each electoral commission or boundary commission report, it can interfere, and has done so, with the turnout in some parts of constituencies.

However, I favour the larger constituencies. Looking back to the founding of the State, larger constituencies were encouraged when proportional representation, PR, was being introduced in the first instance, on the basis that it would reflect society better.