Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. Many constituencies and boundaries have been changed which adds to the intrigue and the difficulties facing political parties and candidates. This is particularly so in my constituency of Cork North West which will be one of the most interesting and complex constituencies in the next election.

We have reviewed constituencies since the foundation of the State and will continue to do so. All the reports of the independent constituency commission have been accepted.

Many people believe proportional representation and the multi-seat constituency make the election too constituency and client-orientated. The other side of that argument is that candidates grow close to the needs of people in their constituencies. After a weekend in their constituency clinics and advice offices they understand the pertinent issues. A single seat constituency might suit a sitting Deputy or politician but proportional representation is probably the best system for the general public. The most important aspect of an election is to ensure people have representation and our system is conducive to achieving that representation.

Politics is over-analysed and has become a global phenomenon. Previous speakers have said how difficult it is to attract new people into politics. In recent years we have seen a decline in voter turnout at elections across the spectrum, whether the election is held on a Thursday or Friday. Holding elections on a Sunday would make no difference because people are becoming detached from politics and politicians, which is to the detriment of all parties.

I spoke recently to a group of young people and asked their views of politics. They regard politics as remote from their lives. In 1975 Jack Lynch, then leader of Fianna Fáil, set up the first youth organisation of any political party, Ógra Fianna Fáil. In his opening speech he said "whether it be to join and support or indeed to strongly oppose us, we in Fianna Fáil exhort each and every young person in this State to become involved in political organisations". We must spread this message. All politicians discuss politics with civics, social and political education classes in second level schools. They probably lay out their stalls there too, as we all must do in advance of an election. The most important job we can do is to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process and to understand that their contribution can influence policy.

Ireland is a rich country whose identity has developed over years of upheaval yet we have a tradition of creativity and culture. To share our opinions on politics or on any subject we must be informed and the great interest in politics through the generations is testament to the excellent standard of education in this country over the past century. Consideration of policies and politics tests each of us and broadens our understanding of people's behaviour, thus making us more broad-minded and creating a more inclusive and progressive society.

To play our part in politics we must understand them. Young people and people generally across the country associate politics, electoral Bills and elections with politicians being elected to the Dáil, the Seanad and various local authorities throughout the country but politics is about life. For the past eight years I have been honoured to be a Member of this House representing Cork North-West. The more I see of life here the more I see that it mirrors life throughout the country. One has the same characters in this House that one has in any community. They are representative of Irish life and true proportional representation in any parliament should mirror life outside it. That is the function of the national parliament.

If we consider any community, life, events and the environment will continuously test its beliefs. History teaches us that in striving for an ideal many obstacles must be overcome. Policy makers must find compromise and dialogue must be used as the ultimate tool in the resolution of difficulties. Some people have great enthusiasm and ambition and great ideas come from this. Though they may not want to talk about their opinions, many people have an idea of the Ireland in which they want to live. This vision is based primarily on people's lives and has been formulated by families, school, environment and the part they play in the local community. In politics or personal life the key to success is to play an important role in the development of one's community. This may be in the sporting, musical or party political domain. Through such involvement everyone will develop their interpersonal skills and learn from those around them.

Young people bring blind enthusiasm that often makes the impossible possible. That great enthusiasm can rejuvenate an organisation and reawaken an entire community. Involvement in any organisation is character-building while complacency creates a dormant society, without progress or hope. Throughout this country we should sell this notion to everyone. I could list the community groups in my own constituency that have done excellent work on behalf of their community. Consider the people at the forefront of development of the community or organisations. These people are great leaders and we should encourage people to get involved in their own communities and local organisations. Through that they take pride in their organisations.

I sometimes become disillusioned when I hear that it is a terrible country to live in, or that some community is a terrible one in which to live. This kind of statement makes me angry. It is easy to be the hurler on the ditch, taking a swipe at anyone who is leading in his or her community or organisation. It is easy to say that he or she should do things differently. The most important thing is to get people involved because everyone's ideas are needed. One can take a cynical view of anything and say that nothing can be changed. Anyone involved in politics can make a change and can state what he or she would like for the community. Getting involved in a political party leads to friendships being made and being broken. A leading politician in this House, who had been secretary of the local GAA club at one time said that he had created more enemies as secretary of his GAA club than in 20 years of national politics. That may be partially true.

My constituency, Cork North-West, is predominantly rural. In 1997 media commentators said that it was one of the forgotten constituencies. There was never media focus on it. Alas, that will not happen this time even though we might like if it did happen. There will be plenty of activity. The constituency stretches from Rockchapel, Milford and Charleville through to Ballincollig, which will be included in the constituency as part of this Bill. There is a broad cross-section of people. Major developments have taken place over the past eight years. Like any rural constituency it has changed with the advent of the Celtic Tiger and with new people moving in.

One of the most important things that happened in Cork North-West over the past eight years is the change in the employment rate. Ten or 15 years ago young people educated in my constituency had to emigrate to Liverpool, Boston or New York to find a job. Thankfully that is no longer the case and the situation is reversed. Non-nationals are coming to the area to find work in this community. Despite the non-nationals coming in the number of people on the live register is decreasing further. People say that 20 years ago if we could see a situation of full employment for our people we would never again see a poor day. However, with full employment we have other pressures.

One issue that arises in rural constituencies, and particularly my own, is planning permission, and planning for young people living there. We have provided employment for them and it is important for all local and national politicians to ensure that policies are implemented so that young people can build homes in their local communities. It is important that some regulations regarding rural planning are not interpreted in a very strict manner. In my parish there were 76 more family homes than there are today. If someone built 76 more homes tomorrow dotted around the countryside the planning authorities would almost have a seizure. Now that we have secured employment we must allow people to stay in their communities and it is important that we provide planning for them in rural areas.

In the by-elections in Meath and Kildare we saw the huge suburban growth of Dublin. Over the past ten years the population of Dublin has doubled. I wonder whether communities are being put in place for all the houses that have been built. People become attached to their community if there is a strong sense of community. Traditionally our society has been based on a strong sense of community to which people have a strong attachment. It is important to have a strong sense of community, otherwise all we have are housing estates.

In the west and in much of my constituency there are small rural towns and villages that have the ability to take extra houses given that the nucleus of sporting facilities and schools are in place. Planners should take those issues into consideration.

A major issue in all constituencies is the provision of child care facilities. Many of the community-funded child care projects had a three-year staffing grant. However, staff costs have escalated and they now have a deficit and will not be able to continue to operate. I am aware the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is reviewing community-based projects. It is important that it considers the issue seriously and increases its contribution. As the Government has provided funding to the tune of €1.5 million for various projects, we must ensure that funding is provided to ensure staffing for these projects.

I have been chairman of Ógra Fianna Fáil for the past seven years during which time we have had many discussions with young people who have been turned off politics. When one visits any college campus, one has a great recruitment day during freshers' week. Like all the political parties, we move in the machine and try to get as many as possible signed up to the organisation. During the year, fewer turn up at meetings. Sometimes people become cynical of politics. At times we jump on the bandwagon in a constituency when an announcement is made. We may have criticised the particular project for some time but, when it is announced, we say we played a major part in it. We create some of the reasons people are cynical with politics.

The decentralisation programme was discussed on the media this morning. I am pleased that the decision by the Government on decentralisation, 18 months ago, is progressing well. In the case of Kanturk, County Cork, a site has been identified. We have promoted this issue from day one. Ireland is not a huge sprawling nation with millions of acres of land but a small nation in which we can communicate and run our businesses effectively whether in Kanturk, Knock or Dublin 4. If units of the apparatus of State are based in small provincial towns, one gets a cross-section of views rather than the Dublin understanding of what is needed. I welcome the Government's decision to proceed with the decentralisation programme and to identify sites in all 53 locations. I am pleased it has identified a site and has agreed a sum of money with the landowner in regard to Kanturk, County Cork. I urge the Government to ensure decentralisation will become a reality.

Like many Deputies before, it has been my privilege and honour to represent Cork North-West in Dáil Éireann for almost eight years. Let us hope the people of Cork North-West will put their faith in me again at the next general election——

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