Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

The Labour Party still has problems with the way the drawing up of constituencies is dealt with. One of the particular issues we raised concerned the undesirability of three-seat constituencies. While this has not been taken on board, as Deputy Neville said, it remains an issue whether it is sustainable to have three-seat constituencies. When the Ceann Comhairle sits in a three-seat constituency, for example, only two other Members can be elected, which limits the operation of democracy in that constituency. Obviously, the more seats in a constituency, the more likely the smaller parties will get to be represented and people who use their vote will have an opportunity to actually elect someone.

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for making an amendment on the issue of how European candidates should be dealt with, although this was not exactly as we proposed. We welcome that the Minister engaged in discussion on Committee Stage and took on board the Labour Party view.

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