Constituency Commission.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004

Tuesday, 27 January 2004

Ceisteanna (796)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

918 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person responsible for appointing the Constituency Commission on Dáil constituencies and giving it its terms of reference. [1442/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The membership and terms of reference of the Constituency Commission are prescribed in sections 6 and 7 of the Electoral Act 1997. Section 6 also provides that the commission and its members shall be independent in the performance of their functions.

Upon publication by the CSO of the Census of Population Report, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is obliged to make an order establishing a Constituency Commission to perform the functions assigned to it by the 1997 Act. Upon the presentation by the Constituency Commission of the reports required of it, the commission then stands dissolved.