asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, having regard to the fact that the proportion of electors to representatives in the County Borough of Dublin varies from 6,314 to 1 in Area No. 1 to 10,060 to 1 in Area No. 5, he will consider a re-allocation of seats before the next municipal elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Re-allocation of Seats in Borough of Dublin.
The power to divide the city into electoral areas was derived from the Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930, which directed that the ratio of members to population should be equal so far as practicable. This power was vested in the Minister and lapsed after being exercised. Fresh legislation would be required to give effect to any proposal to re-allocate seats.
Does the Minister propose to introduce such legislation before the next municipal election in order to get back to the position which was envisaged in that Act?
In view of the more urgent problems with which my Department is confronted, I cannot undertake to introduce such legislation as long as the present emergency lasts.
In spite of the fact that it could be drafted in four minutes?
Or it could be done by Emergency Order.