Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is correct that the course of action outlined be taken. For anyone to contemplate taking a court action in this instance to force the Dáil agenda or delay or interfere with the right of the Taoiseach to seek the dissolution of the Dáil is a step too far. It is for this House to decide its business. It is for the Government to decide its business. We can make recommendations to and cajole, beg and implore a Government to take our issues on board, but to seek to dictate from outside the business of the Dáil for the sake of having an extra seat in a constituency is a step too far.

I am aware of the constitutional provision and the right of people to be represented, but it has to be operated within reason. The boundaries of a constituency can no more be changed on the day the census results are published than on the day the Constituency Commission reports. Perhaps a mechanism should be included in future electoral amendment legislation to ensure that when a boundary commissions is set up, its report will be adopted in law within three months, unless previously passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas. That is something we can consider, but it was not considered prior to the setting up of the boundary commission. For us to decide anything other than this and not to defend the Houses of the Oireachtas and our duty to set our own business in this House would be wrong. It is right that the House defend itself.

See this speech in context