Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

This was discussed on Committee Stage, as Deputy Lynch is aware. Maps of local electoral areas, as recommended by the Boundary Commission, are available in its published reports. These reports are on my Department's websites at www.environ.ie and are freely available for viewing.

While maps are important and easy to use they are for illustrative purposes only and have no legal basis with regard to the composition of local electoral areas. The legal basis for local electoral areas is the different ministerial orders which contain detailed technical descriptions of the areas concerned. However, maps of local electoral areas are of benefit to candidates and I agree with the Deputy on this. They are also of benefit to political parties and to the public in general. The Minister has indicated he intends to write to local authorities requesting them to produce and make available maps of the local electoral areas relevant to their councils' functional areas. I hope the House will agree this is the appropriate way forward. In this circumstances, and in the light of what I have said, I ask that the amendment be withdrawn.

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