Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this issue as it is important to debate an issue that will affect all politicians. The terms of reference for the commission as set out in section 6 of the Electoral Act 1997 state:

A Constituency Commission shall, in observing the relevant provisions of the Constitution in relation to Dáil constituencies, have regard to the following:

Section 6 of the Electoral Act 1997 lays down the terms of reference for the Constituency Commission. Section 6(20)(c) states, "the breaching of county boundaries shall be avoided as far as practicable". The commission missed an opportunity to unite urban villages such as Terenure. Political representatives must also protect these urban villages which have come under attack from planners and traffic management czars. Terenure is perceived by the traffic management office in Dublin City Council as an obstacle to transporting commuters to and from Dublin city centre. Dublin City Council planners, using the area management structure, have divided Terenure into two administrative areas, one based in Dublin South-Central and the other in Dublin South-East. Terenure has been partitioned and it is important we reunite the village. Its sense of social community has been divided and its political representation weakened.

While residents in Terenure can call on Deputies from two constituencies, due to its divided administrative structure many issues raised at residents' association meetings are not always relevant to all Deputies and councillors. Very often when the full complement of Deputies, councillors and Dublin city council officials attends a meeting, there are more on the officialdom side than on the residents' due to the weakened sense of community. I hope there will be an opportunity to reflect on the commission's recommendations for areas such as Terenure and it is brought either into Dublin South-East or Dublin South-Central. The residents would not be disappointed if that were to happen.

People believe that Deputies should have an input into constituency revisions. Yet when we did in the past, people were critical of that. I am not critical of the Constituency Commission but I hope there is some opportunity to strike a balance.

Deputy John Cregan already spoke of the 13,000 people from the Limerick West constituency being moved to the Kerry North constituency which will have an impact. They have been well served in the past by Deputies John Cregan and Niall Collins. Deputy Thomas McEllistrim is now making efforts to build a political base there. While I am sure Deputy Jimmy Deenihan will be more than happy to cater for their every concern, people from places like Athea are Limerick born and bred. The idea of them being in the Kerry North constituency has led to bad feeling and a sense of exclusion has emerged. They are in limbo because they are not sure who their Deputies are.

In the case of Terenure we have missed an opportunity for villages, both urban and rural, to develop, expand and strengthen their sense of community. I would like if that aspect of the commission's report could be reassessed.

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