Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012 proposes to implement the recommendations of the constituency commission’s report 2012. In essence, this means reducing the number of Deputies from 166 to 158, the number of Dáil constituencies from 43 to 40 and redrawing many constituency boundaries. This may not be great news for everyone in the House. I have noticed that there is some very uneasy shifting on the backbenches, not to mention perspiration on some brows. The great Canadian motivational speaker Brian Tracy often refers to doing things that are important rather than urgent. This Bill may not be urgent, but it certainly is important. That is a line the Government has tried to adopt at all times. We believe in the long-term prosperity of the country. As a result, we are not afraid to make the often overlooked important decisions as opposed to the more popular urgent ones.

The Bill provides for a reduction in the number of Deputies, implementing the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the number of Deputies following publication of the results of census 2011. Prior to the establishment of the constituency commission in 2011, its terms of reference were changed by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011 which fixed the range for the total number of Deputies at between 153 and 160, as compared with the previous range of 164 to 168.

In any group there will always be those who are thinking about their personal interests. This is understandable, but the time for thinking about personal interests in this country has long past, as we all know well. Since its inception, the Government has aimed to do the right thing for the country and for the right reasons. In any reshuffle or realignment there will be winners and losers. I, therefore, urge Members to think beyond their personal interests and of the greater good of the country. Like the esteemed Mr. Tracy, I urge them to make the important decisions and support this legislation. I commend the Bill to the House.

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