asked the Minister for Local Government if he will establish an independent statutory commission to revise constituencies in accordance with constitutional provisions and the democratic principles of proportional representation.
61.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revision of Constituencies.
60.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the establishment of an independent commission to readjust Dáil constituencies.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
It is not intended at this stage to establish a commission on the lines suggested by the Deputies. I might mention, however, that this House gave leave recently to the introduction of a Bill providing for a revision of Dáil constituencies.
Are we to take it that the Minister's statements when he was in Opposition were all just for the sake of publicity and for the sake of making them, and that he did not believe in them?
Would the Deputy like to quote?
Quotations are not allowed at Question Time.
Would Deputy Lemass——
The Minister's insincerity is coming to the surface very early on.
Would Deputy Lemass care to quote any occasion on which I said this? Indeed, I am deeply touched by the social conscience of the Fianna Fáil Party here today.
In order to prevent embarrassing questions being tabled by Members of the party to which he formerly belonged, would the Minister arrange to have discussions with Deputy Desmond about matters like this?
That would seem to be irrelevant. Question No. 62.
Was that the practice of the previous Government?