Democratic deficit in urban areas

WITH reference to the boundary review of local electoral areas, I must express my dismay at the methodology used in the case of Cork county.

Whereas other areas were treated as a single unit, Cork was singled out to be considered by administrative division rather than as a council. The result of this is to retain a disproportionate number of seats in the western division and to disadvantage the rapidly growing commuter belts closer to the city.

Having read the submissions, the principal argument for the treatment of Cork county by administrative division seems to have been that the area is “sprawling”.