Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is often said constituents in Ireland are over-represented and that the country is, therefore, out of line with other countries. If, however, one examines reports by political scientists, one will realise we are fully in line with international norms.

While I agree with much of what Deputy Stephen Donnelly has said on how business is done in the House, I disagree fundamentally with the suggestion there should be a significant reduction in the number of Members. A significant reduction would mean a lack of democracy and a very elitist and exclusive Chamber. The Chamber would be almost like a vocationally representative Chamber such as the Seanad. It certainly would not allow for proper representation or the very strong contact Members have with their constituents and the public. The link between individual Deputies and their constituents is a very significant strength. It is anything but a weakness and ensures Members do not become out of touch with their constituents or constituencies. It is a considerable strength of the proportional representation and single transferable vote system. I fundamentally agree with and support our electoral process.

The Bill arises from the census findings in 2011. Let me outline the input of Independent Deputies Catherine Murphy and Finian McGrath whose involvement in the case Murphy and McGrath v. the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government ensured constituency reviews would take place very quickly and linked with the publication of preliminary census figures and the constituency review report arising therefrom. The report must be submitted to the Minister within a three month period. The process has been strengthened and this has ensured timely implementation of the Constituency Commission's recommendations.

Since 1980 there have been 166 Deputies elected. In the intervening period the population has increased significantly, from approximately 3.3 million to 4.5 million. The Joint Committee on the Constitution, in its review, did not recommend a change to the number of Deputies elected. It indicated that serious difficulties would arise from a reduction in the number of Members of the Dáil. It stated a reduction in the number would affect the proportionality and representative nature of Dáil Éireann. I agree.

Political scientists internationally have examined this matter. In general, Legislatures in small European countries have more Members of Parliament per head of population than in larger countries. Nine countries - Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden - have Members who represent between 15,0000 and 35,000 people. There are four countries - Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg and Malta - in which Members represent fewer than 13,000. If one makes a calculation using the cube route of population size, as political scientists do, one realises that people in Ireland are neither under-represented nor over-represented; one actually arrives at a figure of 166 Members.

The average number of seats per constituency, or what political scientists call the average district magnitude, should be as high as possible. There has been an average of four since 1980, but it should be higher.

In other words, the number of seats per constituency needs to be higher to ensure proportional representation in this House. Political scientists have found that larger constituencies give better proportional election results. I believe, as do many political scientists, that five, six or even seven seats per constituency would give a much more proportional result. PR-STV has been hugely advantageous in limiting the effect of a low number of seats per constituency. A higher number of seats results in greater proportionality, greater representation of smaller parties and Independents and better representation across the political divide.

I refer to the terms of reference of the Constituency Commission, apart from the one which states "not less than 153 and not more than 160 seats" for Dáil Éireann. They include:

"The breaching of county boundaries shall be avoided as far as practicable. ... Each constituency shall be composed of contiguous areas. ... There should be regard to geographic considerations, including significant physical features."

The commission's report breaches a number of these terms of reference. County boundaries have been breached in a number of constituencies, particularly in Tipperary. Both the county boundary and physical infrastructure terms of reference have been breached. In the south of the county, part of Waterford county that skirts the Comeragh Mountains, which has traditionally been in Tipperary South because it is contiguous with south Tipperary and is dependent on Clonmel as its main centre of employment, social activity, health services and education, has been transferred. That area should not have been removed from Tipperary South. There was a more significant breach in Tipperary North, with 11,000 people being transferred to Offaly. This area is contiguous with two of the main towns in the county, Nenagh and Roscrea. People living 500 yards outside both towns are now in the Offaly constituency. However, all of these people look on both towns as their centres for education, health services, employment and social activity. It is clear that the commission, in respect of both Tipperary constituencies and a number of other constituencies, has breached its own terms of reference. Will the Minister seriously examine the position in Tipperary and revert to two three-seater constituencies?

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