Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is always the subject of debate in my constituency. The Minister would know many of them very well. It is important a consultative process is established. I am concerned when I hear people worrying about consulting citizens and reacting to polls.

Local election areas may need to be revised once the Dáil constituencies have been changed. The Minister in response to a parliamentary question said that any change required to local election boundaries on foot of changes to Dáil constituencies would be in place before the 2014 elections, which I welcome. Significant reform of local government has been promised by the current Government. While I believe there is strong support for reform, we need to ensure that in doing so we do not shaft councillors. I was previously a councillor on Dublin City Council, which experience I found enriching and helpful when I was elected to the Dáil. It is important we remain conscious of the good work being done by councillors.

Another important issue in the context of Dáil reform is that of democracy. I do not go along with the modern view that Deputies who help their constituents on particular issues are out of touch or not doing the job for which they were elected. In my view, while I am a legislator, I am also a messenger of the people to the Dáil. We should make no apologies for prioritising the interests of our constituents as part of our job. It is an important part of our work. Many of the people who come to the clinics of all Members are people experiencing real problems and no person outside of politics should say that we should not try to help them, be it in getting a medical card or making representations on their behalf to the HSE or on a housing or anti-social matter. I make no apology for helping such people as part of my work in representing them. The cynicism of some people towards politicians galls me. What these people are doing is in fact having a go at democracy. Some 30% to 35% of people in this State do not vote, which concerns me. I believe this is the result of some of the damage done to the political system. Those who do not vote are often people on the margins or people who, despite having a great deal, do not bother. Given there are a number of countries around the world where people do not have the right to vote, they need to cop-on. It is their democratic right, if they do not like a particular Deputy or councillor, to vote against them and ensure they do not get elected. That is how politics and democracy works.

On Dublin bay north, I note there are 146,512 registered voters in that constituency. This means there are 29,302 per representative as it is a five-seat constituency. I am concerned about the physical size of this constituency. I have worked for many years in a three-seat constituency. I have been able to get to know my constituents and service the constituency adequately. I understand the point that personal contact with constituents could become an issue in a large constituency. It is important, in the context of this legislation, that representatives are allowed to continue their close relationships with constituents. I do not go along with the spin that representatives in the UK, Scotland or other European countries and the USA spend only one day a week in their clinics. I disagree with that. How can one help one's constituents in that way?

It galls me when I hear some commentators say that politicians who do large amounts of constituency work are ignoring the real issues in the country. As far as I am concerned, the real issues in this country are those of concern to people on the ground. They are the people I want to represent. I will do my best in this House to represent unemployed people and small businesses in Donaghmede, Howth, Sutton or Darndale and make no apologies for doing so.

This legislation provides for 11 five-seat constituencies, 16 four-seat constituencies and 13 three-seat constituencies. The legislation also contains further details on these issues. On Dublin bay north, it is important that as public representatives we ensure the different sections of society throughout that constituency are properly represented. I referred earlier to the late Sean Dublin Bay Loftus. I will, as he did, work hard to protect Dublin bay. Thousands of people use that bay every day. I will be a watchdog for Dublin bay. I will also be the watchdog for the small businesses in Darndale, Coolock, Donaghmede and Howth and for the fishermen and fishing industry in Howth. Perhaps the Minister would address the issue of parking facilities in Howth with Fingal County Council. I was in Howth last Sunday, where there is car park next to where the boats come in, which is used by people visiting the area and going to have lunch in the local pubs and restaurants. The proposed introduction of parking charges in Howth by Fingal County Council has the local businesses, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and so on up in arms.

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