Constituency Review Submission from Denis Cahalane
Denis Cahalane
Submission ID: S18
Date
28/10/2023
Constituency
European Constituencies - Dublin, European Constituencies - South, European Constituencies - Midlands-North-West
European Parliament Election 2024: Distribution of 14 seats allocated to Ireland
Introduction:
The two constituencies outside Dublin are large and unwieldy. Allocation of an extra seat affords an opportunity to reduce the size of constituencies outside Dublin. I propose increasing the number of constituencies from three to four.
I have looked at the eight regional populations as well as at the county populations. The national population is: 5.148million. There are fourteen seats which gives a ration of: 0.368 million per seat.
Insofar as possible, regional configurations should be used in seat allocation. My proposal does so with three exceptions: Clare, Kilkenny and Longford.
Composition of proposed Constituencies:
Clare and Longford are added to the Border and West regions to create a three seat constituency.
Kilkenny is added to the Mid East and Midland regions which have lost Longford to create a three seat constituency.
Clare and Kilkenny have been taken from the South East, South West and Mid West regions to create a four seat constituency.
Outline of Four Constituencies:
Dublin: 4 seats, pop: 1.458m, pop per seat: 0.365m
Border and West regions plus Longford and Clare: 3 seats, pop: 1.080m, pop per seat: 0.360m
South East South West Mid West minus Clare and Kilkenny: 4 seats, pop: 1.471m, pop per seat: 0.368m
Mid East and Midland Region plus Kilkenny, minus Longford: 3 seats, pop: 1.139m, pop per seat:0.390m.
Summary:
The constituencies outside Dublin are more compact. The Mid East and Midland Region has a higher population per seat than the other two constituencies outside Dublin but it is smaller in size.