We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Local electoral boundary changes

Summary

Deputy McGrath complained that a boundary decision had shifted Cahir into another district, calling it gerrymandering, and others added that west Cork and Kerry were also affected. The Minister said the boundaries had been reviewed and some issues outside the commission's mandate had already been addressed.

Last summer, an independent commission examined local electoral boundaries and the revision of some borough districts. We all thought that was the Gospel. Last Friday, however, Tipperary County Council received an email to say that a decision had subsequently been made by the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, or someone else in the Minister's Department to put the Cahir area into the Tipperary town and Cashel district. This is of major concern to all council management, staff, including outdoor workers, and members and to people in the area. What kind of gerrymandering is going on? We had enough of that back in the Tully Government. The commission deliberated and reported, and that was accepted by the county council, but now the Minister of State, who accused Senator Coffey of being Crotty the Robber, is interfering with Tipperary and its destiny. We will not put up with this. I do not know what the Government has against Tipperary and Tipperary town, but it is interfering with it a lot.

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy for the question. The local electoral boundaries were reviewed. A commission was put in place to do that. In a couple of areas, though, it went outside its mandate in respect of the designation of boroughs. That was addressed by the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, a number of weeks ago.

Comment on this

A lot of the work was carried out in the dining room and Dáil restaurant.

Comment on this

I was there to witness it. West Cork and Kerry are also affected.

Comment on this