John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

On that very point concerning county boundaries, Leitrim is a unique case. Following the commission's report, the Minister should examine how county boundaries can be respected with a population of less than 30,000. We must accept the long tradition, history and heritage of that county which has undergone unprecedented development in recent years. The county has achieved so much as a result of the Government's initiative for the upper Shannon renewal scheme. However, State institutions, including local authority services, are fragmented between north and south Leitrim. This case is unique. Most people expected that when the independent commission's final document was given to the Government it would have clearly respected Leitrim's county boundary. I realise that by changing the status quo there would be a reaction in another county. However, the case made by the campaigning team in Leitrim was that, with a population of less than 30,000, a direction should have been given to the commission to respect the county boundary. The situation would be different with a population of 70,000 or 100,000 but in Leitrim's case a derogation would have ensured that there would be a Leitrim-based Teachta Dála. Recognising Leitrim's county boundary would be a vote of confidence in its people, traditions, history and heritage, as well as the level of investment there.

As a Deputy for Sligo-Leitrim, which was originally a four seat constituency, I know there was great unity of purpose in this regard. The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, knows this well as he worked astutely on the case of the partnership companies, and I congratulate him for that. It was a difficult job to create partnership schemes that reflected county boundaries while achieving the work involved. One example of fully respecting county boundaries was when the Minister successfully brought west Sligo into the Leader programme's Sligo executive. Prior to that, it was operated by two different schemes. Likewise, that was the case in Leitrim with the implementation of partnership companies.

I am glad the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is here for this debate. When he was in Opposition he was always conscious of the entitlement of citizens of a given county to have their voices heard in the Dáil. Can the Minister say if there will be another constituency review prior to the next general election? The county council review is due in June, which will be welcome. The eminent and highly qualified people who compiled the commission's report had a clear mandate but no distinct directive was given that they were obliged to respect county boundaries. I hope the Minister will indicate that a review will take place before the next general election. This is desirable in light of the High Court ruling that the Minister is obliged to implement the recommendations of the Constituency Commission with minimal delay. Will the Minister clarify what he proposes to do following today's detailed statements? Is this just a talking shop or can there be any revision of the commission's report prior to its implementation? Can the commission be asked to re-examine the issue in light of concerns expressed by a large number of elected representatives from all political persuasions?

Leitrim is a major issue which has been widely debated. On the day he was elected, the Taoiseach mentioned the cases of Clare and Leitrim. As Deputy Ring correctly stated, while it is hard to accept all the issues in respect of everyone's entitlements in other parts of the country, Leitrim is a special case without any doubt. Politicians, State bodies and the general public find this issue to be anomalous, even if they have no association with Leitrim.

Dublin has 47 Deputies whereas County Leitrim has none. If one tours the county from Tullaghan to Carrick-on-Shannon one will find that it is a big county. Given the demographics of the region, it is very successfully represented by county councillors but it is disappointing that it does not have a resident Deputy. There would be no Leitrim representative in the Seanad either but for the fact that the Taoiseach appointed one. The case for a Leitrim-based TD is justifiable.

It is a privilege for me to work for everyone in the constituency but people have an affinity with their own county. They also have an affinity to a native son or daughter who seeks election to the Oireachtas from their own county. It is important to give them a sporting chance to do so, but that chance has been denied. It is not just a question of coming back with the recommendations in this regard, although I respect the commission's independence. The Minister had a clear mandate that in council elections three-seaters must become four-seaters. I believe the recommendation was that there were to be no three-seaters in the new councils, although that may not be correct.

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