Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

The number of Members of the Dáil has a direct impact on the layout of constituencies, a matter which gives rise to debate. In this regard, I return to the important issue of county boundaries.

The Minister of State mentioned the constituencies of Westmeath and Meath West. After 2002 there was the ludicrous decision to include part of County Westmeath in the constituency of Meath West and instead of rectifying the matter part of the constituency of Meath East was included in the constituency of Louth. The result is highlighted by an announcement made by the Minister of State's Department yesterday on the allocation of moneys for the provision of libraries. Bettystown, the second largest town in County Meath, is completely unrepresented in the general scheme of things because it was added to the constituency of Louth taking the focus of Meath County Council off it, meaning the pressure is off it in providing services there. There is no library in the town, although there has been talk for years about providing one. People have been waiting for Government funding, the council delayed in proceeding with its provision and nothing has happened as a result. I firmly believe this is a direct result of the change in constituency boundaries because there is no longer a focus on the area. When I was the prominent person from the area representing it in the Dáil, I was able to get things done and the council would listen to me, but once the boundaries were changed, my focus changed and I believe the Deputies for County Louth are not focused on it. The omission made yesterday could be the responsibility of the Minister of State's Department or that of the council, but nothing is happening in this respect because pressure is not being applied. That is directly as a result of the provisions of this Bill, allowing a breach of county boundaries, and the fact that when county boundaries are breached they are left that way. They are never reversed and more and more breaches seem to occur. It is a point worth considering.