Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One big minute, I am told. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I have the distinction of being possibly the only Member of the Dáil who could not vote for myself in the past two general elections. Five years ago I stood here disappointed with the outcome of the Constituency Commission's report. Today I stand here welcoming the report as the part of County Carlow that has been in exile for the past 20 years has been returned to join up with the rest of the county in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. I thank those who made submissions from that part of Carlow including Rathvilly, Hacketstown, Clonmore, Tiknock, Kineagh and so on.

It is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that this is not about the politicians, but about the people in the constituencies. Apathy has arisen as a result. The voter turnout in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency in the last general election was 66%. The voter turnout in Wicklow, including east Carlow, was 71%. The voter turnout in Wicklow that excluded east Carlow was 72%. The voter turnout among the 4,500 people in east Carlow who were in exile for the past 20 years was only 56%. It proves the point that people who have been disenfranchised need to be brought back into the system. We continually talk about bringing people in and engaging them, but we must ensure the system is there to engage them so that they have an opportunity to do that. I welcome the report in that regard.

We have listened to people mention the different local authority areas involved. In Carlow, we are dealing with two councils, two different regions and two different ETB regions which has complicated matters considerably.

I welcome the report and hopefully this will continue for the future. I thank those who voted for me in Carlow-Kilkenny in the last general election. I assure them that even though that part of Carlow will be returning I will be available to supplement the work the Minister of State has been doing in Carlow-Kilkenny for the last period of time, in particular in Kilkenny. I look forward to them being represented by us in the next period of time.

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