Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 3, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(3) An Coimisiún Toghcháin shall conduct research and, within 18 months of the passing of this Act, make such recommendations as it considers appropriate to Dáil Éireann on—

(a) an appropriate reconstitution of electoral divisions in the State in accordance with objective criteria that take into account the size and distribution of the population, and

(b) discontinuance of the use of former rural districts,

for the purpose of defining and revising Dáil constituencies and local electoral areas.”.

This amendment aims to seek that the Bill is future-proofed and fit for purpose. In particular, we are seeking to require An Coimisiún Toghcháin to conduct research and make recommendations on appropriate reconstitution of electoral divisions in accordance with objective criteria. Again, this is to try to ensure there is future-proofing and that objective criteria will always be used.

I refer in particular to the discontinuance of the use of former rural districts. Given that the rural district designation was abolished almost 100 years ago, in 1925, it seems anomalous to us that we are still, in 2023 legislation, referring in section 1 of this Bill to former rural districts rather than simply discontinuing their use and updating the language and the terminology.

Again, we are seeking to be constructive. I had a discussion with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on Committee Stage on the research programme for An Coimisiún Toghcháin. Regardless of whether this amendment passes, I hope the commission will undertake research and make recommendations on the particular issues we have identified here.

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