Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

The case Deputy Finian McGrath and I took sought to have preliminary figures used to start the process. I was amused that the Bill was published the day before the census figures came out, jumping the gun. The size of the population growth between now and the next census does not matter. The last census will be used to decide the number to ensure it is constitutional. I am concerned that a limit on the size will take away the option of whole county constituencies. I have issues with this that I raised on Committee Stage.

A clear vision across the entire range of representation, from local to national level, is lacking. I would like substantial, almost revolutionary, change in how we do things. People want to regain control and that will not happen unless we change the system that is at fault.

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