Cork East constituency ‘should have five TDs’
Figures obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show there were 72,702 people eligible to vote in the constituency at the 2002 general election. But this has jumped to 86,033.
The population itself has increased from 90,845 to 104,423, (+14.9%), less than 10,000 behind Dún Laoghaire constituency, which is a five-seater.
TDs Ned O’Keeffe (FF) and David Stanton (FG) said the Cork East constituency population is set to grow, especially in Carrigtowhill and Midleton, where thousands of new homes are planned.
The next highest rise in population in the region is in the three-seater Cork North-West constituency, up 9% from 72,408 to 78,953. Cork South-West, also a three-seater, has risen from 71,104 to 76,949 (+8.2%), while the increase in Cork South Central is at 4.5% from 123,842 to 129,379. The smallest increase is in Cork North Central of just 2.2%, from 89,648 to 91,591.
A migration out of the city towards the Carrigtwohill and Midleton areas, in particular, has shifted the balance of power in the Cork East constituency.
Mr O’Keeffe said that in past years, the northern side of the constituency — north of Watergrasshill — boasted a higher electorate. However, this had changed. The number of people eligible to vote in northern end is 41,586, but the southern side, which contains towns like Cobh, Youghal, Midleton etc, has 44,447 voters.
“There will have to be an adjustment made by the Boundary Commission. There has been talk that North Cork will become a constituency on its own and that East Cork would be developed as a three-seater. The population has increased so much that people won’t get the representation they’re entitled to,” Mr Stanton said.
“Cork East should be a five-seater because there has been a near 15% increase in the population,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
The major fight will take place in the southern end of the constituency where David Stanton (FG), John Mulvihill (Lab), Michael Ahern (FF), Sandra McClellan (SF) and Sarah Iremonger (Green) are candidates.
Just three, Ned O’Keeffe (FF), Paul Bradford (FG) and Seán Sherlock (Lab) are standing on the northern side.
Political pundits see this as one of the easiest constituencies to call, with the status quo of two FF, one Lab and one FG to remain. They expect Ned O’Keeffe to top the poll and David Stanton to retain his seat. Seán Sherlock should take over from his father, Joe. Minister for State Michael Ahern should hang on.
