Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas do na Seanadóirí a labhair ar an ábhar seo tráthnóna as an méid a bhí le rá acu. I thank the Senators who made contributions to the Second Stage debate on the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill. Based on those contributions, there is a general understanding of the need to respect the independence of the Constituency Commission and to accept its recommendations.

Many Senators raised concerns that relate to political reform in a wider and more general sense. I assure all Senators of the Government's continuing commitment to implementation of its programme for political reform. While it is far from complete, much has been achieved in two years, and the people of Ireland can look forward to further achievement in that regard over the next three years.

As the Minister stated in his opening contribution, in bringing forward this Bill the Government is continuing a long-established practice of implementing in full the recommendations of independent constituency commissions. This Bill will bring Dáil constituencies into line with the population as ascertained in census 2011, and in accordance with the constitutional imperatives and other legal requirements.

All of us recognise that it might have been possible for the commission to suggest solutions other than those recommended in the report, and it is appreciated fully that concerns arise from such recommendations. However, were Senators legislating for the maximum number of Deputies permissible under the Constitution, which is 229 Teachtaí Dála,there would still be some who would not be satisfied with some element or other of Dáil constituency arrangements. Lest Senators are worried about that point, I assure them that the Government is not going in that direction.

Some Senators drew attention to particular Dáil constituencies and made their pitches for their areas of interest, particularly those in which there will be constituency changes. However, as stated previously, these are the swings and roundabouts of constituency division in the context of an independent commission.

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Seanadórí for their input to this debate. There will be further consideration on Committee Stage of the specific elements of the Bill, including constituency names, if Senators wish to raise them on that Stage.