Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their contributions to this debate. They have raised many issues across the political horizon but, as my time is limited, I will focus on some points arising from the Bill. Other matters can be discussed in more detail on Committee Stage.

Some Deputies suggested alternatives to the schemes of constituencies proposed by the commission and set out in the Bill. I cannot foresee circumstances in which we will accept amendments that will alter the scheme of constituencies recommended by the commission. I accept that the proposals made, particularly by the latter speakers, were intended to serve the general interest rather than self-interest. It is important that we maintain the tradition of implementing the recommendations of the constituency boundary commission in full. We cannot adopt an À la carte attitude to an independent commission as the last two speakers have suggested and reject the commission's work because we do not like what it says.

Since the report of the first commission in 1977 the Oireachtas has never changed the commission's recommendations presented in the form of a Bill. To reject some of the commission's recommendations now would be to revert to the partisan position of the past when constituency revisions were perceived as being framed to secure political advantage for the Government of the day. Even minor changes to the commission's recommendations would represent the first step back to the unsatisfactory situation which applied in the past. I cannot accept the special pleading of several speakers, including the last two. The Government will not tear up the commission's work simply because it does not suit.

The Bill contains a scheme of constituencies which is the product of an agreed process, operated in accordance with the specific rules set by distinguished personnel whose integrity and independence are beyond question. Deputy Cowley directly questioned the integrity of the commission. He should perhaps take some time to examine the record of the House and review his quite disgraceful proposition that the commission has operated in a politically partisan way. Unfortunately, Deputy Harkin took up Deputy Cowley's rant. It is outrageous that two speakers in this House should traduce in that way an independent commission made up of recognised individuals who have served this House and the State well. It is a disgrace.

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