Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the committee for the opportunity to address this. This is pretty minor in the scheme of things, but like Deputy Smith, there is a certain identification which I think is important for any constituency. As the Minister knows well, having experienced the division of the constituency we share a number of years ago, especially Swords-River Valley out to Dublin West, the name of a constituency and its makeup means something to people and especially to the communities.

The precedent I am proposing in my position is that I reserve the right to bring an amendment on Report Stage of this Bill because the names chosen, as Deputy Smith correctly outlined, are somewhat peculiar in the case of Dublin Fingal west, in that Santry is in the south of Fingal, Balbriggan is in the north of Fingal and neither is to the west of Fingal. I understand the commission's logic, which makes sense except for a further consideration, namely, north Dublin and Fingal is the fastest-growing community in Europe for the last four censuses in a row, or 20 years. I see no reason that is going to change. Dublin West, as we know, is about 70% in Fingal and the balance is in Dublin City Council's jurisdiction, but as that growth continues it is likely the latter's area within the constituency will ultimately be excluded. If it is, we have just taken the name Dublin Fingal west and the area I mentioned cannot be rebranded. It also curtails the options for Dublin West in particular as it continues to grow.

We might be a couple of censuses away from having to make such choices, but as Deputy Smith has outlined, holding on to the name Dublin Fingal might be problematic in terms of an individual's identification. For instance, the people of Malahide and Swords might still think they are in Dublin Fingal when in fact they are not. That takes time to work its way through. Undoubtedly, every member in this room has received emails from people from other constituencies. It is a very regular thing for people living on the north side to think they are in Fingal and we get the emails. What I am proposing is rather simple. Dublin Fingal east is appropriately named as it is to the east of Fingal, but Dublin Fingal west should be changed to Fingal north central. The reason I am naming it that is that it is to the north but in the central point of Fingal as an administrative county. It also leaves space for any future division and names of other constituencies. Again, I give the Cathaoirleach notice I wish to reserve the right to table an amendment on Report Stage. In this case, it is to drop the name "Dublin" from the two constituencies. I do so because I do not think anybody is in any doubt as to where Fingal is in the county of Dublin. If we apply the logic in reverse to the south of the county, we do not see "Dún Laoghaire" or "South Dublin" prefixing any of the constituency names. In the case of Fingal it is readily identifiable. I have written to the Minister, as he knows. I have received an acknowledgement but not a substantive response and therefore I wish to provide the time necessary for him and his Department to give this proper consideration. I believe the deadline for amendments is this evening and for Report Stage amendments it is this time next week. If that is the case I hope to have the opportunity for the Minister to consider his thoughts on the issue.

As a final point, if precedent is a consideration for changing a commission's report, which I have no intention of changing save for a name, by means of two words in two amendments, I understand it has happened before. I understand amendments have been made in the past to names and, therefore, it is not that big of a deal. I hope the committee will give that due consideration.