Electoral Divisions Report

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Ceisteanna (1308, 1319, 1325, 1335, 1336)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

1308. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the boundary changes at local government level; and if there is an end date. [45902/17]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1319. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the planned local election boundary commission; when the commission will be formed; when the terms of reference will be published; the timeframe within which the commission must complete and publish its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46106/17]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to revise the local authority electoral areas for the next local elections; when a commission will be appointed to redraw these boundaries; the terms of reference of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46359/17]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

1335. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will establish a boundary committee to review local government electoral areas; the timeframe for the boundary committee's work; the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46512/17]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

1336. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to media reports on the establishment of a second local government boundary committee for South Dublin, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Cork and Galway local authorities; the terms of reference for this committee; if it will examine altering the external boundary of these local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46513/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1308, 1319, 1325, 1335 and 1336 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of commitments in relation to local government reform to ensure that local government funding, structures and responsibilities strengthen local democracy into the future. In particular, the Programme includes a commitment to consider reducing the size of local electoral areas.

The preparatory work in support of a review of local electoral area boundaries is being advanced in my Department. It is intended that the review will be initiated shortly and will be completed in good time before the 2019 local elections.