Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Like previous speakers, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. As others said, it has been introduced as part of the process of reform that has been ongoing since this Dáil first met on 9 March last. Never before have we seen so much reform in such a short space of time. On its first day in office, the Government reduced the Taoiseach's salary and introduced a new structure for the transport of Ministers. It is possible that there will be a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad, which would be important.

This Bill focuses on three areas, the first of which is the proposal to ensure by-elections are held within six months. The current arrangements for the holding of by-elections have been abused in the past by most of the large parties, including my party probably. Politics has been played. As we saw last November, the only people who win in such circumstances are the legal people in the High Court. This situation must not be allowed to continue. I welcome the proposal to provide for a six-month period in which future by-elections must be held. The second focus of this Bill is the reduction in the amount of money that can be spent during Presidential election campaigns. This measure must be commended. I would like to concentrate on the third focus of this Bill, which is the establishment of a boundary commission.

I listened attentively to Deputy Colreavy when he referred to himself as "almost an extinct species as a Deputy who happens to live in County Leitrim". I have the honour of representing the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. As a resident of east Carlow, however, I have to vote in the Wicklow constituency. Therefore, my family, friends and neighbours are not in a position to vote for me. I am a proud Carlow man. It is essential that county boundaries be observed when constituencies are drawn up. Many organisations, including the IFA, the ICMSA and the GAA, use simple slogans like "one club - one county". It is essential that county boundaries be maintained as far as possible, especially in rural Ireland.

It was mentioned earlier that people in rural Ireland, in particular, like to be able to associate with their local Deputies. They like to be able to talk to us in a positive or negative manner. It is essential that such contacts be maintained if possible, especially at county level. We are all very important. People get disillusioned and disenfranchised when they are not in a position to vote for the people they would like to vote for in their particular areas. When they are voting for people in one area at local authority elections and in a completely different area at general elections, they see no option. This issue has to be addressed if we are to get more people involved and interested, rather than completely disillusioned. It is important that we address such matters as we move into the future.

It is important for us to address the issues that were raised during the recent general election. Like previous speakers, I can say that the reform of the political system was raised at every second house I visited during the election campaign. It is important that we follow through on the reforms to which we committed ourselves. This Bill is an important step in that process. We must take into account the reform of local government that will take place in the coming weeks and months. When taken together, these measures will form the basis of a new Ireland of which we can all be proud.

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