Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

As the previous speaker stated, ensuring that matters relating to constituency boundaries are independently managed is an important aspect of democracy. Deputy O'Rourke referred earlier to the activities of the late James Tully, a former Minister for Local Government. In his day, another former Deputy and Minister for Local Government, the late Kevin Boland, also wielded a rather crude axe on constituencies in the interests of Fianna Fáil. Let us say that former Members on both sides of the House did hatchet jobs on constituencies. The important point is that the most recent review was carried out in as open and transparent a manner as possible. The commission sought, and received, many different views from members of the public and political parties. I agree with Deputy Joan Burton that when the commission issues its preliminary report, it would be a good democratic exercise to hold a public meeting where people could make their views known to the commission on it. It would allow the commission to take on board the public's views in an open and transparent way.

I refer to the Louth constituency from which I have been elected. I welcome the 17,500 constituents from that part of Meath East which will become part of the Louth constituency. It would be important to change the name of the constituency from Louth to Louth-Meath East to acknowledge the people from an adjoining county who, fortunately for them, are better at football than those from Louth. I believe they would like to retain their county identity within the larger constituency of Louth.

All these changes are happening because of growth in the population, particularly along the east coast. County boundaries date back to early medieval times but counties no longer have the same focus they once had, particularly those along the east coast. What one has are growth centres around major towns and industrial centres. The people of Meath and Louth often use the same hospital, attend the same schools, shop in the same shops and go to the same churches. Crossing county boundaries is an important and significant step. As stated in the directive to the commission, that should only happen in exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, it is probably good for the region, certainly the area around Drogheda, that there is more cohesion among the communities living and using the facilities in the town.

Deputy Cuffe spoke about the local government boundaries. The town of Drogheda has run out of land and it is fully developed in every respect. County Meath is located on one side of the River Boyne while County Louth is on the other side. Three local authorities are responsible for civil and local administration in the area. That is a pretty poor set up because it leads to weak local government, lack of clarity in development plans, confusion about what is happening and shopping developments not being welcome in one part of the constituency but literally on one's doorstep in other parts of it. There are serious issues in regard to planning and development.

I am not arguing that local government boundaries should change as a result of constituency reviews but places like Drogheda along the east coast are becoming cities. The population of Drogheda is deemed to be more than 30,000 people. We need a better local government system and better local control in the surrounding area than that which exists.

Expanding the boundaries of the administrative local area is a critical issue which needs to be addressed. It must be done in such a way as to recognise those people living in Meath with a loyalty to Meath County Council and those living in Drogheda with a loyalty to Louth County Council.

One must look at the growth of towns like Drogheda which are becoming cities. We must put in place a system which allows them to have a uniform and accountable system of local government which is real and representative, which accounts for the economic activity and interests in the area and which moves away from local decisions which are no longer relevant to the constituency.

I am a Deputy who will gain an area close to me rather than lose one. I taught in a school in the area for over 25 years. I have strong links with County Meath from where my wife's people come and where her late father taught. I look forward to serving the people who I know so well, people, in particular from the Dublin area, who are new to the area and the emigrants from County Louth who are living in County Meath who will have the privilege of voting for me and for the Acting Chairman, Deputy Kirk.

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