Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to the House. In his absence yesterday, I congratulated him on the efficient manner in which he dealt with NAMA and the 28 ghost estates for which it is responsible.

Prior to the general election, Fianna Fáil put forward progressive proposals for electoral reform. We object to the reduction of the number of Deputies in light of a population increase of over 400,000. Ireland has a different type of electoral system from most others in that people expect their Deputies to hold and attend multiple constituency clinics.

I also agree with Senator Cullinane on the democratic deficit that will be caused by reducing the number of Deputies without reforming local government. The first step should be to give back the powers the Oireachtas took off local authorities. I accept Fianna Fáil was responsible for much of this, which I objected to at the time.

In its election manifesto, the Labour Party stated it was in favour of electoral reform but did not specify the number of Deputies it would reduce. Fine Gael, however, stated it would reduce them by 20. Now, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, uses the Constitution as an excuse for not reducing the numbers by 20. If Fine Gael were truthful about its proposals prior to the general election, why not have a referendum on this matter?