New report could heighten the urban-rural divide in relation to female candidate numbers

The new constituency boundaries will also have an impact on the implementation of the gender quota, especially given that the target increases from 30% to 40% at the next general election, writes Adrian Kavanagh

These changes also affect people and areas — some people will now find themselves on the “wrong side” of new constituency boundaries and will be choosing from candidates from different counties whom they have little or no knowledge about. File picture

If the period between general elections can be viewed as effectively a marathon, then the release of a new election boundary report is the point in time where the pace decidedly picks up, and some unfortunate contenders “hit the wall”. 

Political parties will need to think, or re-think, their candidate selection and campaigning strategies in light of these changes. For some TDs, the changes may effectively ensure their Dáil careers will come to an end at the next general election.