Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he supports the view to create an all-party committee to examine constituency boundary changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14381/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On 30 January 2008, the Government approved the drafting of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 which will provide for the revision of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Constituency Commission which was presented to the Ceann Comhairle last October. The Bill will also provide for the establishment of future Constituency Commissions on publication by CSO of the preliminary results in respect of a census of population and for the work of a Commission to be completed following publication of final population data relating to the relevant census.

As well as dealing with constituency revision matters, the Bill will introduce alternative procedures for nomination of non-party candidates at European Parliament and local elections. These new procedures will be consistent with those provided for in the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2007 regarding the nomination of such candidates at Dáil elections and must, in light of a Supreme Court judgment in the matter, be in place for the elections to be held in 2009. The Bill is included in the Government's Legislative Programme for publication in the current session. When published, the Bill will be considered by the Oireachtas in the normal way, including by the relevant Oireachtas Committee.