John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

On that point, the people of Leitrim expect an indication from the Minister as to the possibilities. Is this a closed shop? Does the Minister propose to give a new mandate to the commission to revisit certain parts of the country or the whole country again, in light of the huge population shift? There has been a huge population shift in many parts of the region.

This is an important issue and one I have raised on numerous occasions in the past. I genuinely believe that Leitrim needs a clear message from the Minister. It is a unique county with an historical past and a fantastic association with Leinster House of outstanding parliamentarians. They would like to think they have a sporting chance of that happening again. They want an indication from the Minister that by the next general election, Leitrim will be reunified and will have a mandate to elect its own member from that great county. Leitrim is a very special case.

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