Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I have every right to challenge the workings of a commission for which the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen gave the terms of reference. I make no apologies for this.

We must ensure democracy in this State and a more inclusive politics. The number of constituencies has increased to 43, including 18 three-seat constituencies, but there are still only 166 Deputies. Only 47 Deputies represent our growing capital. There was potential for anybody with vision and courage to ensure the provision of expanded representation. The commission had choices in regard to the northside of Dublin. Five seats and four seats respectively could have been assigned to Dublin North-Central and Dublin North-East. Instead, those constituencies have been ripped apart and reformed as three three-seaters, a situation which puts those outside the mainstream political parties at a disadvantage.

I will challenge the Government on these issues on the doorsteps and on the streets. It is appalling that the political parties, especially those in Government, are hijacking democracy. This has already taken place in Leixlip. Fianna Fáil has stolen the seat Deputy Catherine Murphy vacated on Leixlip Town Council, to which she was elected with two quotas. This is further evidence of that party's anti-democratic values.

I challenge the Government parties on their wealth, power and sleaze. They will be challenged in the next election and the people will have their say. The Government is worried about the rise in the Independent vote, which stands nationally at 12% and is as high as 18% to 20% in some constituencies. This legislation represents another attempt by the larger parties to bury the Independents. Since the last election in 2002, a number of us have worked closely together during the Dáil session, meeting every week to work on common issues arising from our Dáil work programme.

We challenge the conservative view in this House that Independents are powerless. On the contrary, we are here to stay and are at least as effective as other backbenchers. We have significant potential for the future. The large parties are associated with sleaze and corruption whereas working people view Independents as straight and honest. There are ex-party Members who have damaged the integrity of Independents. Luckily for us, however, the public now sees Independents as a credible alternative to party neglect. We are only answerable to the public and not to party dictates and vested interests.

Independent Deputies represent a highly credible percentage of the total number in Dáil Éireann. We earned our seats the hard way and we contribute to all debates in the House. Independent Deputies are community-based and believe in straight talk in politics. We do not demand respect but try to earn it inside and outside the House.

Independents are now in third place in opinion polls, after Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Dublin North-Central is now a three-seat constituency with 73,501 registered voters, which means a population per Deputy of 24,500, an increase of 3.82%. The population has increased but 10,000 voters have been removed from the constituency. A recent poll indicated that Deputy Gregory is ahead of the Taoiseach in the constituency. A people's revolution is under way. Citizens are thinking independently and voting for Independent candidates. Unfortunately, some persons in this House and in the media, the right-wing media in particular, show no respect for voters. There is much ranting and evidence of political snobbery in respect of Independent Deputies.

We must bear these issues in mind when discussing the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005. The main purpose of the Bill is to revise the Dáil constituencies in the light of the 2002 census and, in this context, to implement the recommendations in the constituency commission report on Dáil constituencies of 2004. The commission was established under Part 2 of the Electoral act 1997 to report on the constituencies for the election of Members to Dáil Éireann and the European Parliament. Its 2003 report related to European Parliament constituencies.

The Bill also addresses an issue that has arisen in regard to the definition of election expenses for the purposes of the Electoral Act 1997. This is another example of the need to inform citizens about the vested interests that are funding the largest parties and one particular small party. These parties are not backed by citizens but by neo-conservative groups. Such organisations do not exist only in the United States and the Minister is aware his party is up to its neck in this regard.

Section 1 defines "Minister" as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the purposes of the Bill and provides for the interpretation of the Schedule. Section 6 addresses the issues raised by the Standards in Public Office Commission in regard to the definition of election expenses for the purposes of the Electoral Act 1997. This body does welcome and valuable work. However, there must be a universal awareness that there must be respect for citizens. I strongly oppose this legislation because it does nothing for the taxpayer.

One need only look at recent events to assess the situation. The largest robbery in recent decades has been perpetrated upon the elderly. The implications of the Travers report are devastating and amount to an admission of State-sanctioned abuse of older citizens that has gone on for three decades. Successive Governments and Ministers were well aware of the situation but buried their heads in the sand.

The people of Dublin North-Central strongly support the voters of Leitrim in their campaign for democracy and inclusive politics. Voters in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency have been treated appallingly. That constituency had four seats as did the Longford-Roscommon constituency. Now, however, the two new constituencies, Sligo and North Leitrim and Roscommon and South Leitrim, will have three seats each. With voting populations of 25,000 in Leitrim, 58,000 in Sligo and 53,000 in Roscommon, there is an automatic advantage in any election for the large parties in regard to these three-seat constituencies. No Member will be elected for Leitrim and this is not good for democracy.

This legislation is significantly flawed and there are major problems with various sections. One need only examine the details to see this is the case. I am totally opposed to it. It is flawed, undemocratic and an absolute disgrace.

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