Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure that regardless of the size of any future Dáil, the Deputy still anticipates and wants to play a very lively role within it and the question he poses this morning reminds me why it is very likely that he will do so. As he may be aware, this is something that An Coimisiún Toghcháin has indicated a willingness to consider. In a report published in August 2023, the commission outlined that in advance of the next commission, it wants to commence what it has described as a "national conversation" - I am sure many Members of this Dáil will want to participate in that, including the Deputy - on whether Dáil Éireann should continue to grow to match the increase in population . If that were to happen in the way that he described, the Dáil would grow by around two TDs per year over the next number of years.

As I answer the question, it is important not to lose sight of something that is very positive. The reason we are seeing a growth in the size of the Dáil is that we are a growing country with a growing population. There are more people living here who deserve and require more representation. That is very positive and that can be at the heart of our prosperity and growth in the years ahead. My own view is that the growth in population will continue to require the level of representation that our own Dáil provides at the moment. I would be reluctant to put any cap on that at the moment. I assure the Deputy Grealish Leader's Questions and engagements like this are hard enough but if I came in here and saw the Visitor's Gallery full of TDs as well, I am sure it would make them even more demanding. If that is something we have to contend with as a consequence of our country continuing to grow, that would be a good thing. I will be interested to see what An Comisiún Toghcháin recommends. I would not like to see unlimited growth but, on the other hand, the level of representation that we have within our country at the moment does broadly work and I would not like to see any sudden change in that regard.

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