South Mayo shouldn’t be left out in the cold

The boundary constituency changes for the next general election have been passed in Dáil Éireann. In the case of my own county, Mayo, a significant portion of the south has transferred into Galway West.

Mr John O’Mahony TD, in his speech to the Dáil on Jan 18, called on the minister to ensure that the new constituency be called Galway West-South Mayo. It is unfortunate that this speech did not get the publicity it deserved. In it he outlined in no uncertain manner and with great clarity the utter folly in transferring historic South Mayo into Galway West.

He is to be complimented and I hope the people of Mayo will take note of this.

In my opinion the new constituency should be scrapped and the old Mayo constituency reinstated; this time with four TDs.

The rights of the people of South Mayo should be respected.

We all saw what happened when the Mayo town of Ballaghadereen was transferred into Roscommon for electoral purposes years ago. It has been part of that county ever since.

Moving South Mayo into Galway West would begin a process which would in time result in the dilution of the identity of that region which has contributed so much historically and culturally to the great county of Mayo. This must not be allowed to happen.

No offence to our Galway or Roscommon neighbours, who we love and respect very much.

Thomas A Bourke

Newcastle

Galway