A certain uncertainty is troubling deputies, some more than others, and it's not the byelections - those results are unlikely to affect them personally. What bothers them is the report of the Dail Constituency Commission which is due at the end of March. The 1995 report, after the last census, introduced widespread changes - Mayo became one constituency instead of two, Kildare was transformed from one to two, and boundaries were altered in many areas to give effect to population changes.
On this occasion many eyes are focused on Dublin Central, the constituency of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about which, Quidnunc has been informed, there have been many submissions, most notably from Fianna Fail. The constituency straddles the Liffey and it is well known that Bertie would prefer if it didn't; he obviously wants it spread out around Drumcondra, his own heartland. If this happens he could have a strong enough vote not only to keep running mate deputy Marian McGennis but to squeeze out independent Tony Gregory.
These and other submissions have been laid before Mr Justice Johnson and his committee, which includes the clerk of the Dail, Kieran Coughlan, the clerk of the Seanad, Deirdre Lane, the ombudsman, Kevin Murphy and the secretary of the Department of Environment, Jimmy Farrelly. It is an independent body, so political influence cannot dictate where boundaries fall; but where the boundaries fall dictates who gets elected. ail Constituency Commission which is due at the end of March. The 1995 report, after the last census, introduced widespread changes - Mayo became one constituency instead of two, Kildare was transformed from one to two, and boundaries were altered in many areas to give effect to population changes.
On this occasion many eyes are focussed focused on Dublin Central, the constituency of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about which, Quidnunc has been informed, there have been many submissions, most notably from Fianna Fail. The constituency straddles the Liffey and it is well known that Bertie would prefer if it didn't; he obviously wants it spread out around Drumcondra, his own heartland. If this happens he could have a strong enough vote not only to keep running mate deputy Marian McGennis but to squeeze out independent Tony Gregory.
These and other submissions have been laid before Mr Justice Johnson and his committee, which includes the Clerk clerk of the Dail, Kieran Coughlan, the Clerk clerk of the Seanad, Deirdre Lane, the ombudsman, Kevin Murphy and the secretary of the Department of Environment, Jimmy Farrelly. It is an independent body, so political influence cann't cannot dictate where boundaries fall; but where the boundaries fall dictates who gets elected.