John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to speak on this and it is important that we have an opportunity to contribute. I do not know what the outcome will be and it is probably a cynical exercise making statements on this matter, but I am bitterly disappointed at the findings and the report of the Constituency Commission. I am not crying for my own sake but speaking for the people I represent in the constituency of Limerick West. The constituency has been decimated by the findings of the Constituency Commission. Reference has been made to small changes and tweaking made throughout the constituencies and I understand that this is needed to ensure the appropriate number of constituents per Deputy. It is possible to satisfy the constitutional requirements in this way.

In my case, every voter west of Newcastle West has changed from Limerick West to the new constituency of Kerry North-Limerick West. The population of 13,000 has been disenfranchised by the findings. We have lost this amount and gained 17,000, but the Constituency Commission did not respect county boundaries in doing so. The earlier speaker referred to how it did not respect provincial boundaries. I respect the fact that the Constituency Commission has a job to do but until such time as there is political input into this, it will not be right. Deputies in this Chamber are like turkeys facing Christmas on a five-year basis. We must face this dilemma after a census of the population and it is not good enough. I accept the independence of the Constituency Commission and that the past system was far from independent and did not work. That is the reason this job of work was put into the hands of independent people. I accept that it has a job to do, but I am bitterly disappointed with its findings.

A population shift of 13,000 from the town of Newcastle West means that if one drives along the N21, people three miles east of the town cannot vote in Limerick West. They have been disenfranchised. Members on all sides of the House encourage people to vote but the message of the people of Abbeyfeale, Athea, Mountcollins, Toornafulla, Monagea, Carrigkerry and other places is that they will not vote because there is no possibility of electing a Limerick Deputy while this situation prevails. These people are disenfranchised and they are disgusted by it. They were satisfied by the representation of those they chose at election time, as was their right and entitlement, but this has been taken from them.

Our loss is the gain of Kerry North and I wish the people of Kerry North well. We are proud of our identity in Limerick, particularly in Limerick West. While we have an affinity with north Kerry in some circumstances, this is not such an occasion. Other speakers referred to the Taoiseach's suggestion in the House. Deputy Michael Kennedy feels strongly on this matter and made efforts so that this report could be made an interim report. If the glaring discrepancies could have been rectified, all-party agreement could have been reached. With 166 Deputies, it is a case of swings and roundabouts, losses and gains, but, on this occasion, the people of Limerick West are the losers.

The Taoiseach was sensible in suggesting, before he assumed office, that we must have some political input in future years. I support that and it is a pity that we cannot have such an input on this occasion. It is not because it affects Deputy John Cregan — it will be somebody else the next time. The report of the Constituency Commission is not sacrosanct and does not have to be adopted and rubber-stamped by this House. The precedent is that it always has been but the House is under no obligation to accept the findings of the Constituency Commission. That was a safeguard in itself, although it was never used. Another safeguard could be built in so that we could use it from time to time, if necessary.

I am getting the negative part of my contribution out of the way first because I will be more positive in welcoming my new constituents when I make a further contribution later this afternoon. This is a source of concern to my colleagues in Limerick West and those decent people who cast votes for all three of us and to whom we provide a service to the best of our ability and will continue to serve out of loyalty.

See this speech in context