Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

For example, it was proposed to reduce the number of seats in Belfast to three, with a number of other changes. Responses were provided and changes were then introduced. That might be a better system for the next constituency review. We have plenty of time to do this, as the next census will not take place until 2011. Perhaps a new system could be adopted then, whereby draft boundaries would be published and discussed before a final decision was taken rather than being presented with a fait accompli, which is more or less what we have now.

There are two Green Party Ministers in the Cabinet, one of whom has an appetite for media, while the other, Deputy Gormley, has an appetite for reform. Perhaps he will examine the wider issue of electoral reform during his tenure. The issue has been much discussed but very little has been done about it. Fianna Fáil tried to introduce a first past the post system on two occasions, which I do not favour, but there may well be a case for the introduction of a mixed system similar to that used in Scotland, Wales and Germany, where members are elected on a regional and local basis. That ensures small parties are represented and a mix of people are engaged in constituency or legislative work. In Germany members of the Bundestag who are elected to constituency seats command more respect than those elected under the list system because they are considered to have been elected in their own right. I do not accept the view that there should be a division between members engaged in constituency work and legislators. That does not happen in countries that have adopted a mixed electoral system. High profile Ministers and legislators are expected to win seats locally.

I agree with Deputy Bannon regarding the naming of European constituencies such as Ireland East and Ireland South, which do not mean very much to people. It is difficult to name the constituency in the west because it stretches across all four provinces. It begins in County Westmeath, a 45 minute drive from my house, which is extraordinary. I doubt many of my constituents know the boundaries of Dublin West. Journalists do not because I am often described as a Member for Dublin North-West or Dublin Mid-West. Were it to use local names and be called Dublin Blanchardstown-Castleknock, for example, people would be better able to identify where they live.

Given that the Castleknock electoral area comprises the Blanchardstown shopping centre, Blanchardstown hospital and Blanchardstown village, should it not be called Castleknock-Blanchardstown? Similarly, the largest and second largest settlements in Mulhuddart are Clonsilla and Clonee, respectively, but it has an odd name. I made this argument in my submission to the commission, but it does not seem to have been picked up. No one ever says that he or she is from Pembroke, rather, he or she is from Ballsbridge, Donnybrook or Dublin 4. No one says he or she is from Glencullen, rather, he or she is from Sandyford or Ballinteer. Given these facts, why do we not use relevant names for electoral areas?

I referred to local government spending limits, but another point is the dual mandate. While I may be wrong, one cannot be a Member of the Dáil and a member of a council, but it is still possible to be a member of the council and a Member of the European Parliament. If this is the case, it is odd. It is also odd that people, including someone in my constituency, will run for a council and the European Parliament on the same day. What would happen if people were elected to councils and the Parliament on the same day? How would they choose which position to take up?

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