Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Yes, and he probably did so for nakedly political reasons. Just because something has become practice does not mean it should not be reviewed.

I know it is set in stone, but I think it is worth looking at in the context of the terms of reference of the boundary commission and maintaining county boundaries. There may be a way around it. Should counties Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon become a six or seven-seater constituency, at least there is a county identity and the feeling is that people would vote in line with the county boundaries.

Is there a possibility, or is it even on the radar that the dual mandate could be restored? I believe this is an antidemocratic measure, not in the interests of efficient Government, and it should be open to discussion. Senators from all sides have spoken on efficient Government. With a reduced number of TDs, and the reduction in the number of committees, yet with the enormous number of committee mandates, I cannot see that there will be more accountability in the Government, if this Chamber is abolished.