West Limerick voters urged to make their voices heard
Added September 29th, 2011
Limerick voters living in the West Limerick/North Kerry constituency have until January 2012 to have their voice heard if they wish to re-join the rest of the County Limerick constituency, says Deputy Patrick O’Donovan
The Constituency Commission has been advertising in print media in recent weeks to let people know that submissions in relation to boundary lines will be accepted until January 10th, 2012. The Commission will take these submissions into account – along with the final result of the census which is due to be published in March 2012 – when drawing up constituency lines for the next General Election. Many constituency lines around the country will have to be adjusted to take into account the reduced number of TDs that will make up the next Dáil.
“I will be making a submission of my own on this matter in the coming weeks and if anyone would like assistance in writing up their own submission they shouldn’t hesitate to contact one of my offices,” said the Fine Gael TD for County Limerick.
“Separating part of West Limerick from the rest of Limerick for the last election was an illogical move that left people disenfranchised. Voters in the new constituency that found themselves voting for candidates from Kerry still felt the natural place for them to vote was County Limerick. People living very close to my own home in Newcastle West were very disappointed that they had been moved to this new constituency.
“It is my feeling that the two Kerry constituencies should become one five-seater and West Limerick should come into the rest of County Limerick. Even in a reduced Dáil, the census has shown that Limerick has a high enough population to warrant seven TDs, four in the City and three in the County, incorporating West Limerick.”
Anyone who wishes to make a submission in relation to Limerick’s constituency lines can write to The Secretary, Constituency Commission, Room 1.65, Custom House, Dublin 1 or by e-mail to constituency.commission@environ.ie. Further details can be found on www.constituency-commission.ie.
“Voters have until January 10th to write to the Commission,” O’Donovan continued. “A submission can be one page or a detailed document. The important thing is that people make their voice heard.”