Malcolm Byrne: Close to the edge — constituency challenges at the county bounds

Fianna Fáil senator Malcolm Byrne reflects on changes proposed in the Electoral Commission report

Among the issues being considered by people poring over the new Electoral Commission report is what happens when county and constituency boundaries cross each other. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

For almost half a century, we have had independent constituency boundary reviews. Every time one is published, there are some surprises, some expressions of happiness, and some of anger.

But the fact that we accept that an independent body carries out this work impartially is an important part of our democracy. Witness some of the appalling gerrymandering that exists in the drawing of some districts in the United States and we know our democracy is in a healthy state.