Changes made in constituency electoral areas
THE Dublin Mid-West constituency, which includes Clondalkin and Lucan, has been allocated an additional seat to become a five-seat constituency for the next Dáil.
The move forms part of the recommendations by the Electoral Commission, who confirmed on Wednesday that the number of TDs is to be increased to 174, up from 160.
Dublin South-West, which includes Tallaght, will remain a five-seater with boundary changes.
Dublin South Central, which includes Ballyfermot, remains a four-seater with some boundary changes.
The Commission recommended the transfer to Dublin Mid-West of the ED of Tallaght-Fettercairn, with a population of 11,335 from Dublin South-West, and the transfer of part of Clondalkin-Monastery ED from Dublin South-Central.
Dublin Mid-West and South-West are both contained within the South Dublin County Council area.
Clondalkin Cllr Eoin Ó Broin (SocDems) was happy with the development, believing a “new constituency needs new representation.”
“Growing up in Clondalkin, I am familiar with the area of Fox & Geese that has been added to the Dublin Mid West constituency, while I know Fettercairn and Fortunestown Road from my county council work,” said Cllr Ó Broin, who sees potential for his party to win a first seat in Dublin Mid-West.
Prior to the transfer, Dublin Mid-West was a four-seat constituency with a population of 130,795.
It’s population grew by 12,819 (10.9 per cent) since 2016.
The current Dublin Mid-West TD’s are Emer Higgins (FG), Gino Kenny (PBP) Mark Ward (SF) and Eoin Ó Broin (SF).
The recommendation has been made by the commission in its Constituency Review 2023, which has been submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It says changes are necessary to take account of an 8 per cent increase in population since 2016 with more than 5.15 million people now living in Ireland.
Under the Constitution, Ireland should have one TD per 20,000-30,000 people. These changes mean each TD will represent an average of 29,593 people.
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