Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

There was no logical reason for the constituencies to be redrawn in Limerick, which has lost one seat, other than the desire to retain two three-seaters in Kerry. Logic would have dictated that Kerry should have gone from two three-seaters to one five-seater but that has not happened.

The area I was elected to represent, Limerick East, took in the city and a portion of east county Limerick, including areas already referred to such as Murroe, Cappamore, Doon, Pallasgreen, Oola and Templebraiden, which have now all transferred to Limerick West. This huge new constituency, which is called Limerick County, stretches as far as Glin. The people of Limerick East were represented by Deputies from the area for decades but they now feel disconnected. They still come to local Deputies with constituency queries and I will certainly continue to represent them at all times. It needs to be put on record that the people of east Limerick feel disenfranchised. What has happened would not have happened except for reasons which are unknown but which clearly indicate that some people wanted two three-seaters in Kerry when it should have been one five-seater.

It is a sad day for Limerick in terms of losing a Dáil representative overall, with eight seats being reduced to seven between the two constituencies. However, I will continue to represent the people who elected me.

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