John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. I also welcome the efforts of the Government and the actions of the Minister on the issue of political reform at national and local authority level. There is disagreement on all sides of the House about certain aspects of that reform and its implementation. However, what was acceptable, reasonable and efficient in 1922, 1972 or 2002 is no longer suitable in 2013. To leave things as they are is not an option. I do not object to the proposed reduction in the number of Deputies. However, I fail to see the logic in the changes to the constituency boundaries in the western and north-western regions, in particular. Deputy Joe Reilly also voiced this sentiment.

I am conscious of the resentment in County Leitrim when it was divided over ten years ago when many felt disenfranchised. The solution was to include the county in one constituency. However, the result was a terrible mess and a dog's dinner. In the case of County Mayo 10,000 people in south Mayo were transferred to the Galway West constituency. The solution for County Leitrim is the creation of a new constituency comprising four counties. The Deputies who will represent that constituency will have to deal with four county managers and four local authorities. Galway West is not the natural hinterland for the people of south Mayo and the electorate in that region will now elect local authority members in County Mayo and Deputies for Galway.

I am aware that the new boundaries were drawn by an independent commission. I checked the criteria supplied to the commission and note that they stated the breaching of county boundaries was to be avoided in so far as practical and that each constituency should be composed of contiguous areas, which means sharing a common border. The outcome in the case of the new Galway West constituency is anything but the sharing of a contiguous border. I have tremendous respect for people in both Mayo and Galway, as many will know, but in the case of all counties in Connacht borders have been either breached or additional territory has been added. For political reform to be effective, it must be streamlined.

The number of sittings of the House has increased dramatically since 2011. This means Deputies are unable to spend as much time in their constituencies as they did in the past. They need to have a very good working relationship with local councillors. If a constituent needs assistance in dealing with an issue to do with road resurfacing or pot holes, the local councillor will deal with the problem. However, in the case of a town such as Ballinrobe or a parish such as Garrymore, the local councillor with sit on Mayo County Council but their local Deputy will have links to Galway city and county councils. This outcome makes life more difficult for the public who are the most important in this instance, the councillor and the Deputy. It lacks cohesion.

I have spoken to people on all sides of the political divide in the south Mayo region who say they are confused and angered by the new electoral boundaries. Many of them have pointed out that south Mayo is not even included in the name of the new Galway West constituency. Other Deputies have also contacted the Minister about the naming of the new constituency. I ask him to address this matter and to have the constituency renamed as Galway West-South Mayo. Even my Galway colleagues would agree with this request.

The greatest and most successful organisations in Ireland are made up of people who work together in community. In order to work well in this way, a sense of place and identity is required. This revision breaks that sense of place, as well as communities. It leaves people feeling disenfranchised. I have no doubt that Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív will look after all voters in Galway West and that Deputies Brian Walsh and Seán Kyne will do likewise. However, the point is that the public prefer to have a sense of unity and streamlined representation. This constituency revision does not meet those criteria.

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