Under pressure: The Dáil members in trouble

If the recommendations of the Constituency Commission are implemented in full, it could spell deep trouble for the following TDs:

* Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael: Part of his electoral stronghold in Cork South Central will be transferred to Cork North Central, costing him about 1,400 votes (judging on last year’s election). Buttimer is likely to remain in Cork South Central, but will have a huge task on his hands clinging onto his seat in those circumstances. An added complication is that Cork South Central is losing a seat, going from a five-seater to a four-seater.

* Michael McGrath, Fianna Fáil: The reduction of Cork South Central to a four-seater could also affect McGrath. At the moment, Fianna Fáil holds two of the five seats in the constituency in the shape of McGrath and party leader Micheál Martin. If only four seats are up for grabs next time out, it would be asking a lot of Fianna Fáil to hold on to two of them — and you’d have to fancy Martin’s chances above those of McGrath.