Constituency Review Submission from Association of Irish Local Government
Association of Irish Local Government
Submission ID: S17
Date
02/03/2023
Constituency
National Issues
From: President
Sent: Thursday 2 March 2023 17:49
To: ELC ConstituencyReview
Subject: Submission regarding review of the Electoral Constituencies for Dail Eireann 2023
To: Chairperson and Members
Electoral Commission
Dear Commissioners
The Association of Irish Local Government would urge you – in the context of the review of Dail constituencies currently underway – to place particular emphasis on your Term of Reference 1 (c) which enjoins you to retain county boundaries as much as possible.
The configuration of Ireland’s counties has a strong imprint on the public’s awareness of political geography.
People tend to know their counties and their boundaries very well and are therefore more likely to respond to electoral exercises which take place within the county pattern.
In previous instances where county boundaries have been breached there has been disappointment and a sense of detachment among the communities involved which may well have affected turnouts at the subsequent elections.
There is also the fact that local government in Ireland operates almost entirely on the basis of the traditional county boundaries. It makes sense to all of those involved in representational activity – be it at local government or national parliament level – that their work is aligned along the same boundaries.
The Association wishes you well with your inaugural task as Ireland’s new Electoral Commission.
Is mise le meas,
Pat Fitzpatrick
Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick
AILG President 2022/2023
Association of Irish Local Government
The AILG is a national representative body that represents and supports the role of our elected councillors. We are a strong voice for local communities through effective local government.