Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the Deputies who have made contributions on Second Stage. Based on those contributions, I think there is a general understanding of the need to respect the independence of the Constituency Commission and accept its recommendations.

Deputies Stanley, Ellis, Ó Caoláin and Colreavy suggested that five of the new constituencies specified are unconstitutional. This is not the case. The Deputies have not correctly interpreted the provisions of the Constitution. The requirement is for the total number of Members of Dáil Éireann to be no less than one Member for each 30,000 of the population, and no more than one Member for each 20,000. That is a national figure. No specific constituency limit is set. The constituency requirement is for the same ratio of representation in constituencies as far as practical. It is not correct, therefore, to say that five of the constituencies specified in the Bill would be in breach of the Constitution.

Many Deputies have raised concerns that relate to political reform in a wider and more general sense. I assure all Members of the Government's continuing commitment to implementation of its programme for political reform. While it is far from complete, much has been achieved in two years and the people of Ireland can look forward to further achievement in this regard over the next three years. As I stated in my opening speech on 20 November 2012, the Bill continues a long established practice of implementing the recommendations of independent constituency commissions in full. This Bill will bring Dáil constituencies into line with the population as ascertained in Census 2011 and in accordance with the constitutional imperatives and other legal requirements. All Members can recognise that it might have been possible for the commission to suggest solutions other than those recommended in the report and I appreciate fully the concerns that arise from some recommendations. However, were Members legislating for the maximum number of Deputies permissible under the Constitution, which would be 229 Members, there undoubtedly still would be some who would not be satisfied with some element or other of Dáil constituency arrangements. Lest Members are worried on that point, I assure them the Government is not going in that direction.

Some Deputies drew my attention to particular Dáil constituencies and made their pitches for the areas they represent, particularly in those areas in which there will be constituency changes. However, as I have stated previously, these are the swings and roundabouts of a constituency revision in the context of an independent commission. All I can do is ensure that the best arrangements, as far as practicable, will have regard to the Constitution and the statutory requirements. I again thank the Acting Chairman and Members for their input into this debate and I look forward to further consideration on Committee Stage of the specific conditions of the Bill.

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