Ministers welcome publication of Constituency Review Report 2023
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD and the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD have welcomed the publication of An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission) Constituency Review Report 2023 and commended the members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the comprehensive work they have carried out.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin operates independently of Government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas. It has taken on several statutory electoral functions including the responsibility for the registration of political parties and the work currently carried out by Referendum Commissions, Constituency Commissions and Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees.
The Constituency Review Report published today contains the Commission’s recommendations in relation to the election of members to the Dáil and European Parliament following the publication of final results of Census 2022 on 30 May 2023.
Commenting, Minister O’Brien said:
“The establishment of An Coimisiún Toghcháin marked a seminal moment in the Government’s electoral reform agenda, delivering on commitments made in the Programme for Government. The Electoral Reform Act represents the most significant development for our electoral system in decades outlining existing and new functions for An Coimisiún.
The publication of today’s report demonstrates the central role An Coimisiún now plays in our electoral system and going forward we will see them take on significant responsibilities such as the regulation of online political advertising during electoral periods, oversight of the Electoral Register, and a new public information, research and advisory role in relation to electoral matters.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and diligence of the Chairperson, Ms. Justice Marie Baker, CEO Art O’Leary and the members and management team of An Coimisiún.”
Minister Noonan added:
“The need for the modernisation of the electoral system in Ireland is well documented - we live in an evolving society, and it must evolve too. Through the work of the Electoral Commission we will strengthen and enhance our electoral system and indeed our democracy.
“On the back of today’s Constituency Review Report it will be important for our citizens to become familiar with new constituencies once the formal restructuring has taken place. I believe the Commissions educational functions are hugely significant and I look forward to watching their new roles and responsibilities progress.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
The Commission is required to present its report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and to lay the report before the Houses of the Oireachtas, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
With the publication of the Electoral Commission’s report, the next step, in accordance with accepted practice since independent constituency commissions were first established some 43 years ago, is for the preparation of a Bill to give statutory effect to the Commission’s recommendations.
The proposed Bill will be brought to Government and then to the Oireachtas by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as a matter of priority. Following enactment of the proposed Bill, the new Dáil constituencies will come into force on the next dissolution of Dáil Éireann.
Members of the Oireachtas will have an opportunity to debate the contents of the Commission’s report when the proposed Bill is being debated over the course of the legislative process.
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)
Email: press@housing.gov.ie
Website: gov.ie/housing
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