Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Limerick East has been losing rural areas since 1948. Prior to that date, the full county of Limerick was one constituency. Since then, Limerick East has progressively lost county area and now a substantial portion is being taken. An area of Roxboro which is literally on the boundary with Limerick city has been brought into Limerick West, probably to make up the numbers. Limerick is suffering and County Limerick is losing a seat overall whereas according to the figures, Kerry North and Kerry South should have become one five seat constituency.

I wish to put on record the upset of the people on the county side, the east Limerick side. I would like to continue to represent them and I hope that the Minister, Deputy Gormley and the Government follow through so that when the preliminary census figures for 2010 are published, they will set up a commission to reconsider the situation and ensure that these people continue to be represented by the TDs they elected. The situation is currently very unsatisfactory. The Cabinet agreed this on 30 January yet the Government side is acting as if it is not agreed.

I hope that before the next election the boundaries will be changed and that I will continue to represent the people on the east Limerick side thereafter.

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