Census 2006 - Slim chance of boundary overhaul

WITH Ireland’s population now at over 4.2 million, the highest since 1861, it was inevitable debate would be sparked on the need to redraw Dáil constituencies.

While the chances of this happening may be slim, the Government has been forced to seek advice from the Attorney General on the legal implications of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) report which shows one Dáil constituency in breach of the constitutional population guidelines.

Out of 43 constituencies, Dublin West is the only one in breach of the constitutional standard of equal representation, based on the number of persons per TD.