Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

On Deputy Kathleen Lynch's final point, even at this late stage we have an opportunity to ensure the next Constituency Commission has different terms of reference. We need to amend the Electoral Act 1997 to ensure the commission has greater scope when examining constituency boundaries. The recommendations of the Constituency Commission breach the terms of reference set out in the 1997 Act.

I recall the decision to move my area of Ballyfermot from Dublin West to the Dublin Central constituency, despite the fact that the district was separated from the constituency by a geographical boundary — the River Liffey — which should not have been breached. This Constituency Commission has also proposed major changes which are contrary to section 6(2)(c) of the Electoral Act 1997, which states, "the breaching of county boundaries shall be avoided as far as practicable". The commission did not properly consider this requirement as its proposals for some constituencies are illogical.

It is possible that the tendency of previous boundary commissions to increase the number of three and four-seat constituencies drove the deliberations of this Constituency Commission, which chose not to increase the number of five-seat constituencies. The provision in the Electoral Act precluding the establishment of six, seven, eight or nine-seat constituencies should be examined on Committee Stage.

The PR system of the single transferable vote, which was used in the election to the first Dáil, has been used for the past 90 years. General elections held after the Civil War included constituencies with six, seven and eight Deputies and resulted in a wide variety of views being represented in the House. In one of the two general elections held in 1927, candidates from seven different parties were returned to the House, including Jim Larkin of the Irish Workers League and 12 Independent Deputies. The latter differed from the current body of Independent Deputies in that they were Unionists or former members of the old Irish Party. This was good for democracy, particularly given that the purpose of the PR system is to reflect diverse views.

If we continue to move towards three-seat constituencies or a first past the post system, as the Fianna Fáil Party sought in the past but was prevented from doing by the people in a vote, it will be bad for democracy. We are trying to encourage people to participate in the electoral process but continually changing constituency boundaries causes confusion and undermines voters' identification and affinity with their constituency.

The changes to the Kerry North and Limerick West constituencies and to counties Tipperary, Offaly, Louth, Meath and Leitrim could have been avoided if the Constituency Commission had greater scope to act. It chose to cannibalise County Limerick by merging part of west Limerick, from where my mother comes, with Kerry North, despite there being no affinity between Abbeyfeale and Tralee. In the case of County Leitrim, a small county has been cannibalised when it would not be a major task to produce a realistic solution which did not divide the county between constituencies. If we had one, two or three counties in one constituency, it would be possible to maintain county identities which have developed over centuries, as we saw last weekend in Croke Park. Who would the constituents of the new Kerry-Limerick constituency cheer for if both counties ended up in an all-Ireland final?

It is still possible to resolve these problems. While I accept the independence of the Constituency Commission and I am aware of the practice in the House of putting through its recommendations unchanged or on the nod, as it were, there is nothing to prevent the House from asking the commission to review its findings. If, having done so, it decides the recommendations should proceed, it would be possible to change its terms of reference.

The transfer of Deelis, Kilgobban, Knockglass and certain Castleisland districts to Kerry South distorts the traditional integrity of the Kerry North constituency and patterns of local representation. Other Deputies will be in a better position to detail the history of the area but having lived for some time in Corca Duibhne, where I spent a number of months on several occasions, there is no logic in having the area in the Kerry South constituency. Corca Duibhne has always been regarded by local people and visitors to the area as part of north Kerry. If boundary changes are to be made, it would be logical to include Corca Duibhne with its natural hinterland and the central town of Tralee.

On the recommendations to break up counties, the question must be posed as to whether the people of County Leitrim or the part of County Limerick included in the revised Kerry North constituency will ever have a chance to elect a representative from their county to the Dáil. Given the small number of electors from west Limerick in the proposed new constituency, I foresee that the area will not be represented by a local person unless an all-for-one candidate manages to garner 100% of local votes. It may be that the constituency will be discriminated against or will prove to be an afterthought. I hope that will not be the case. I intend no slight on people who will put themselves forward as candidates in the constituency in the future or on those who are incumbent there at present.

To return to the break up of the counties, the views I have already outlined also apply in respect of the transfer of south Offaly into Tipperary North, the position regarding north Meath and the division and transfer of the Leitrim constituency into two new constituencies, Sligo-North Leitrim and Roscommon-South Leitrim. Anyone who lives outside County Leitrim might be of the view that this is a trivial matter. However, that is not the opinion of those who reside there. There are those of the view that this will further disadvantage what is already one of the most disadvantaged regions in the country.

We need to bring about change. As is the case with all legislation that comes before the House, Members have an opportunity to instigate such change in the context of this Bill. We have been presented with the opportunity to call a halt to something that is wrong. The Bill should be changed and the commission should be given greater scope to ensure that additional seats will be created in various constituencies in the future. We must ensure that what we do in respect of this matter reflects the original idea behind the PR-STV system that was introduced to great effect some 90 years ago. That would be the best way to commemorate or celebrate what was envisaged by an chéad Dáil as the correct electoral system for Ireland. We must ensure that there is better representation for the public in order to break down the disconnect that exists between the people and what happens in this Chamber. The more local people that are elected, the greater will be the understanding of what happens here.

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