Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank Deputy Bacik for raising this particular issue. Amendment No. 3 proposes to insert a new subsection 3 into the section 3 of the Bill to require An Coimisiún Toghcháin to undertake detailed research within a period of 18 months from the enactment of the Bill on an appropriate reconstitution of electoral divisions in the State, and on the discontinuance of using former rural districts in the description of our Dáil constituencies for the purposes of providing a more up-to-date and objective approach in the process of constituency review and design.

Essentially, the proposed amendment would require An Coimisiún Toghcháin to carry out a particular piece of research on the future design and make up of Dáil constituencies. On this note, Members will be aware that earlier this month on 9 November 2023 An Coimisiún Toghcháin published a draft research programme from 2024 to 2026 setting out a number of items of intended research. It has also announced a public consultation on the draft research programme inviting all interested parties to make submissions on the draft programme and on any additional research projects that may be considered important to promote and enhance Ireland’s democracy and electoral events. I understand that the deadline for the receipt of submissions is 12 January 2024 and I urge all political parties and all those with an interest in our democratic and political system to first of all look at the draft programme. It offers a hugely exciting opportunity with different research strands and I urge all parties to engage in this process because I believe it will be of great value to us all here.

Notwithstanding the current public consultation process, An Coimisiún Toghcháin is required in accordance with its obligations under the Electoral Reform Act 2022 to consult with, among others, the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in preparing and finalising its research programme. In light of the public consultation process which is currently underway, and the requirement of An Coimisiún Toghcháin to consult with the committee, I believe it is not necessary to legislate for a specific item of research to be provided for in the Bill. The inclusion of the proposed item of research in an coimisiún’s research programme can be considered over the course of discussions to can take place during the consultation between the committee and An Coimisiún Toghcháin.

Again, I urge Deputy Bacik and the Labour Party to make a submission on a proposed research programme which would be most useful. In this regard I am not in a position to accept this amendment.

See this speech in context