Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

We fundamentally oppose the proposals on the number of TDs. This is a dilution of democracy in the absence of total reform of how we do business in this House. We do not agree with the published band of 153 to 160 TDs.

In recent years the cost of delivering democracy has been reduced substantially. We fundamentally disagree with reducing the number of TDs for the sake of it. This should have formed part of a total reform package for the Oireachtas, be that in the context of the electoral commission or a wider reform package. The Minister himself acknowledged in his speech on Second Stage that this is a piecemeal approach and that is not the best way to do business.

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