John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

It is the only county to be completely divided in this review. Areas of some counties, such as Westmeath, will be transferred into other constituencies. This is another statistic that can be added to Leitrim's long history of neglect and disadvantage, which has been redressed in recent years. The level of development in north Leitrim has been significant. I believe Tesco is to open in Manorhamilton. When one sees a company of that nature investing in a small town, it is a welcome sign of progress in north Leitrim.

Given that they have been marginalised for so long, Leitrim people are quite resilient. They have invested heavily in the tax breaks and the difference that has made is quite evident as one travels through the county. At a time when people are progressively losing faith in the electoral process, we risk losing people's respect from an electoral point of view in places such as Leitrim where the system is seen to be unfairly applied.

Some 15,000 people signed the petition calling for the status quo to be maintained and for Sligo-Leitrim to remain a four-seat constituency. We live in a democracy and the people of Leitrim are clearly telling the commission of their disappointment. There was no submission from Leitrim to the commission. Perhaps that was an oversight. How aware was the commission of developments in Leitrim and of the major handicaps it faced in the past? The decision cannot be taken lightly, although I know it is cast in stone. Politicians must listen to the people they represent. I am privileged to have been elected a Dáil Deputy alongside Deputies Ellis, Harkin and Devins. As a team, we work in the interests of the two counties. The system has worked effectively. To divide Leitrim and for the constituency to be changed to a three-seater will lead to a different and difficult campaign for candidates in the next election.

I am certain Fine Gael will not let Leitrim down. I am not saying that in a political sense. It is highly likely that a candidate based in north Leitrim will seek the Fine Gael nomination in the next general election. It is our intention to ensure that the people of the north Leitrim will have a say at the next general election and I believe they will have a Leitrim-based candidate who will have a strong chance of being elected to the next Dáil. It is important that the democratic right of the people of north Leitrim constituency, will stretch from Kinlough up to Manorhamilton, Dromahair and Manor — the entire region of north Leitrim — and that of the people of north Sligo will be represented by a candidate from north Leitrim who will seek the Fine Gael nomination.

From what I have heard and from what I know of the sheer determination of Fine Gael activists in north Leitrim, I am confident there will be a candidate based in north Leitrim. There is a collective responsibility in that regard. People in Leitrim have a great reputation of having voted intelligently in the past. I am sure they will recognise the opportunity of giving a candidate fielded by the second largest party in the State, and based in Leitrim, a fair opportunity to be elected to the next Dáil.

As Deputy Devins said, I was given a mandate in the most recent general election to represent the counties of Sligo and Leitrim until the next general election. I look forward at that time to putting my name before the electorate to seek a mandate to continue the great task with which I have been charged. It is a privilege to be elected by the people to represent them in Dáil Éireann. It is singularly a fantastic honour, something I thoroughly enjoy. It is a privilege to serve in this fantastic Parliament, where all laws of the State are enacted that affects people in their daily lives.

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