Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and welcome the contribution made by Senator Ellis. Our argument is not about whether 164, 165 or 166 Members of the Dáil is the appropriate number, but about the procedure followed to arrive at the number. It is disappointing that despite freedom of information and various mechanisms which allow Members of the Oireachtas and the public inquire into the thinking and political decisions of Departments on major public policy issues, we cannot get similar information with regard to the work that led to this legislation.

I trust that during the course of the morning we will get into greater detail on our views on the make up of certain constituencies. Senator Ellis, through his work and efforts to obtain documentation, has highlighted the need for greater clarity on the thinking and policy decisions which have brought us to this legislation. It is important now that we ascertain from the Minister as far as possible the starting point for the Department. Was it the number of Deputies to be returned? Was it the effort to bring a proper regional or geographical base to constituencies? Was it to maintain particular boundaries, county, provincial or otherwise? We would like to know what starting point of political thinking led to this legislation. Was it a set number of Dáil seats or was that the result of the procedure?

I am interested in hearing an explanation as to why the documentation sought by Senator Ellis, and perhaps others, was not available or is not available. Why has it disappeared? I thought the era of shredding documentation was gone. Why are we unable to obtain greater clarity as to the decision making process which has resulted in this set of proposals?