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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1983

Vol. 341 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Constituency Population .

6.

asked the Taoiseach the national average ratio of population per Member of Dáil Éireann following the recent census of population; and the variation from the national average in constituencies where this exists.

(Dún Laoghaire): The national average ratio of population per Member of Dáil Eireann was 20,743 according to the results of the census of population taken on 5 April 1981. I propose to circulate a statement showing the population per Member and the variation from the national average for each constituency, as defined in the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1980, for elections to Dáil Éireann.

Following is the statement:

Constituency

Population 1981 Census

Number of Members

Population Per Member

Constituency

Constituency Less National Average

Carlow-Kilkenny

110,626

5

22,125

1,382

Cavan-Monaghan

105,047

5

21,009

266

Clare

87,567

4

21,892

1,149

Cork East

81,035

4

20,259

-484

Cork North-Central

98,696

5

19,739

-1,004

Cork North-West

58,421

3

19,474

-1,269

Cork South-Central

104,185

5

20,837

94

Cork South-West

60,128

3

20,043

-700

Donegal North-East

62,395

3

20,798

55

Donegal South-West

62,717

3

20,906

163

Dublin Central

95,431

5

19,086

-1,657

Dublin North

63,310

3

21,103

360

Dublin North-Central

80,219

4

20,055

-688

Dublin North-East

81,770

4

20,443

-300

Dublin North-West

83,328

4

20,832

89

Dublin South

107,662

5

21,532

789

Dublin South-Central

97,850

5

19,570

-1,173

Dublin South-East

80,733

4

20,183

-560

Dublin South-West

95,407

4

23,852

3,109

Dublin West

111,674

5

22,335

1,592

Dún Laoghaire

105,780

5

21,156

413

Galway East

62,581

3

20,860

117

Galway West

105,646

5

21,129

386

Kerry North

61,968

3

20,656

-87

Kerry South

60,802

3

20,267

-476

Kildare

104,122

5

20,824

81

Laoighis-Offaly

109,483

5

21,897

1,154

Limerick East

100,657

5

20,131

-612

Limerick West

61,004

3

20,335

-408

Longford-Westmeath

86,530

4

21,633

890

Louth

88,514

4

22,129

1,386

Mayo East

57,319

3

19,106

-1,637

Mayo West

57,447

3

19,149

-1,594

Meath

101,552

5

20,310

-433

Roscommon

58,334

3

19,445

-1,298

Sligo-Leitrim

83,083

4

20,771

28

Tipperary North

58,984

3

19,661

-1,082

Tipperary South

78,752

4

19,688

-1,055

Waterford

86,116

4

21,529

786

Wexford

99,081

5

19,816

-927

Wicklow

87,449

4

21,862

1,119

: Can the Minister inform the House on the number of constituencies where the national average is exceeded?

: We have tried to get it accepted that——

: It has not been accepted.

: ——there should not be supplementaries when there is a written statement.

: It is very bad in our constituency.

: The Ceann Comhairle, D.V., will not have the same personal interests as he had the last time.

(Dún Laoghaire): There are about 20 under the average.

: The Minister has informed the House that in approximately 20 constituencies the national average of population is exceeded in relation to the most recent census. Arising out of the 1961 High Court judgment, would the Minister not agree that the Government have an obligation to undertake a revision of the constituencies? Is it proposed to do so?

: This is a statistical question and the supplementary the Deputy is now asking is a matter for another Minister.

: I will have an opportunity to ask a similar question tomorrow and I will be expecting answers.

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