Re: Dublin Region and optimum configuration of new constituencies

Dear Commission Secretary

I wish to make a submission regarding the Dublin region and the 2023 constituency boundary review. The requirement for there to be a maximum ratio of 30000 residents to each Dail deputy means a total

of at least 49 deputies across the Dublin region:

Local Authority	Population 2022	Required Number of TDs
Dublin City	588,233	20
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	233,457	8
Fingal	329,218	11
South Dublin	299,793	10
Total	1,450,701	49

Given the radical and substantial revision of constituency boundaries required on foot of census 2022, the four Dublin local authorities do provide a good starting point in terms of grouping neighbourhoods that will form the basis of the new Dail constituencies post 2023.

I would urge the boundary review to at least begin their deliberations by breaking the Dublin Region into the following five districts:

Local Authority	Deputies	Configuration of constituencies within distract
Dublin City (North of Liffey)	11	2 x 4 seats + 1 x 3 seat constituencies
Dublin City (South of Liffey)	9	1 x 5 seats + 1 x 4 seats
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	8	2 x 4 seat constituencies
Fingal	11	2 x 4 seats + 1 x 3 seat constituencies
South Dublin	10	2 x 5 seat constituencies
Total	49

Subject to the above breakdown these districts can be further divided up into 3, 4 and 5 seat constituencies. The advantage of such an approach to the boundary review allows for:

•    maximise the potential for coterminous boundaries between the new constituencies and the four Dublin local authorities

•   maximise continuity with existing constituency boundaries

•    allow for a future proof configuration of constituencies to facilitate population growth in the years ahead

Although the requirement to avoid breaching of county boundaries as far as practicable does not apply between any of the two counties within the Dublin Region, the commission should still take the above approach to ensure clarity and simplicity for citizens as to who their public representatives are should they wish to seek assistance or representation on behalf of their community.

Sincerely

Stephen Nolan