Number of TDs to be cut by no more than 13

At least six, and up to 13, fewer TDs will be elected to the next Dáil as the Government plans to cut lawmaker numbers and redraw electoral boundaries in light of today's initial Census results.

First results from the count of Ireland's population show an increase of over 340,000, making it impermissible under the Constitution to cut TD numbers to less than 153 from the current 166, despite Fine Gael election pledges to abolish 20 Dáil seats.