Ratio of TDs among highest in Europe

IRELAND has one TD per every 27,500 people — at least four times the ration than in most of our European neighbours.

The Government has abandoned plans to cut the number of TDs by at least 20, which would require a referendum, and instead announced plans to set up a constituency commission.

This will decide whether to reduce the number of Dáil seats from the current rate of 166 to between 160 and 153: the minimum allowed for under the current wording of the Constitution.

It’s likely that Dublin would lose three seats and Cork would lose one under the latest population figures published yesterday.

The constituency of Laois Offaly has the lowest level of representation, with 30,500 people for every one of its five TDs. Dublin North Central has the highest rate of representation with one TD for every 24,789 people.

The figures are exceptionally high by international standards. Britain has one MP for every 91,500 citizens while France has one elected representative for every 105,000 people.

Before February’s election, Enda Kenny said the number of politicians would be “dramatically cut” by a Fine Gael led Government.

He said a referendum would be held to change the constitutional requirements and cut the number of TDs by at least 20.

Unveiling the Electoral Amendment Bill 2011 yesterday, Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, denied there had been a U-turn on the issue.

County boundaries will be kept intact as much as possible, the Minister said. The legislation also states that by-elections should be held within six months of a vacancy occurring.

Fianna Fáil said the announcement “shows how little substance there is to the Government’s demands for Dáil reform”.

Environment spokesman Niall Collins said: “It is clear that the Fine Gael pledge to cut the number of TDs by 20 was simply an election gimmick.”

He said the Government had “facilitated yet another election campaign to be funded by corporate donations” by failing to include any provisions in the bill on such donations.

“The pattern of a Government over-spinning and under-delivering is now becoming well established,” said Mr Collins.

Population per elected representative:

* Ireland: 27,500.

* Britain — 91,500.

* Italy — 92,200.

* France — 104,700.

* Canada — 105,500.

* Australia — 132,700.

* USA — 673,000.