Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

It is rather surprising that we have on the agenda today statements on the electoral boundary commission, although I am sure there is a good political reason for that. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, stand accused of acting illegally in respect of the electoral boundaries. At least, it can be shown that there has been an unjustifiable delay in giving effect to the recommendations to the constituency commission, given that it was approved for drafting by Government on 30 January 2008. It is clear that because of these delays the Oireachtas, or more appropriately the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who has responsibility in this area, is in breach of constitutional law and is open to challenge.

The Government has ignored the report of the Electoral Boundary Commission and deliberately delayed its implementation, in spite of a High Court judgment in 2007 whereby Judge Frank Clark stated that the Government would be obliged to implement the recommendations of the commission with minimum delay. I know things happen slowly around here, but——

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