Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The commission has set out specifically that it intends to carry out research into the issue of representation and the manner in which the overall number of TDs is determined, as I have mentioned, in the context of a rising population. For next week, with the commission coming in, I am certain this will be a matter that members of this committee and the TDs who are coming in to speak at it will raise with the commission. The issue is specifically mentioned in the commission's research programme, which I welcome because it is an area that needs and deserves to be looked at very closely and to come back with potential alternatives or potential changes. In the light of that, I will not be accepting this amendment at this Stage but it is a very important matter that needs to be looked at and I am glad the commission has specifically highlighted this issue as a point to look at.