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Politics.ie
January 8, 2004
http://www.politics.ie/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2809 Constituency
Boundary revisions favour
large parties - Greens
by David
Cochrane
January 8, 2004 The
Green Party claimed today that the
constituency boundary changes proposed by the Constituency
Commission favour large parties.
Green Party Party Chairman, John Gormley, T.D., said that there are
now eighteen three seat constituencies and twelve five seat
constituencies, making it more difficult for small parties and
independents to make a break-through. He claimed, however, that the
changes as proposed would not materially affect the chances of the Green
Party in retaining their existing D��il seats.
"In particular, the Constituency Commission's report is good
news for Green TD Paul Gogarty whose Dublin
Mid-West constituency has been increased to a four seater.
This will increase his chances of re-election. The other Green Party
constituencies have not changed to any great extent. Generally
speaking, however, it is the Green
Party view that proportional representation works better
in larger constituencies."
"In recent years there has been a clear trend of moving away
from five seat constituencies and this is regrettable. The recent
democratic changes clearly suit the Green
Party with more younger people, particularly younger
parents with children, beginning to vote. This trend is set to
continue and will no doubt yield strong results for the party."
"The reduction of Dublin
North Central from a four to a three seat constituency
will make any break-through there more difficult and similarly in Meath,
which was another potential seat for the Greens. However, Kildare
North, which is now a four seater, becomes a distinct
possibility. At the last election the Green Party targeted seats
which yielded good results and this strategy will continue in the
run up to the next General Election," Deputy Gormley concluded. |
