Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not envisage any great difficulty with this proposal, which is a reasonable one. I am sure Members on both sides of the House would like to retain the names of the provinces in the constituencies, but such a proposal must be realistic, practical and take into consideration the terms of reference that were given to the commission in 1997. While it might not be a main issue, if we were to make such a change it would set a precedent. Hopefully, as individuals or political parties, we could make a submission to the commission when it comes to review the European constituencies prior to the 2009 election, which I believe is inevitable.

I thank Senator Bannon for tabling these amendments. I have no difficulty with them in principle. My concern is that in accepting them, I would be cherry-picking the recommendations of the commission.

Question, "That the word proposed to be deleted stand," put and declared carried.