John Connor
Ceist:4 Mr. Connor asked the Taoiseach when he expects to receive, from the Central Statistics Office, the appropriate information from the 1991 census in order to facilitate the establishment of a new constituency boundary commission.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - 1991 Census.
The population figures required by a constituency commission are the final census figures at district electoral division level. The Central Statistics Office expect to have this data available from the 1991 census for the entire country in the second half of 1992.
Is it proposed to set up a boundary commission immediately after this information becomes available?
As stated in the Programme for Government, if it is considered necessary we will proceed along those lines.
Will the Minister of State ensure that those areas of County Galway which were included in Mayo will be taken out now that Deputy Flynn does not want them any more?
Does the Deputy not like us? Deputy Jim Higgins does.
All is forgiven.
Given that many suggestions were made in recent weeks during the negotiations on the programme which will be implemented during the short life of this Government in relation to electoral reform, may I ask the Minister of State if it is the Government's intention to alter the terms of reference for a boundary commission, which appears to be necessary, or if they will have the same term of reference as the previous one?
I am sure if Deputy Spring reads our programme he will find that the commission, if set up, will have exactly the same terms of reference as the commission set up in 1989.
To produce a different result.
What about County Longford?
Would the Minister of State deny the rumour which has gone around the House during the past 24 hours that, in the context of any redrawing of the constituency boundaries in the light of the change in the Department of the Environment, it is expected that the two Mayo constituencies will reduce from being two three seaters to one five seater?
That is a matter which can be raised at another time. Question No. 5.
We will still take three out of the five.