Constitutional Referendum on the Number of Members of Dáil Éireann: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Malcolm Noonan (GP), Agricultural Panel

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I also welcome his officials. I soldiered with them on the reform Act and the establishment of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. I recall well the discussion around six-seater constituencies when that legislation was being developed. The suggestion was certainly resisted vehemently by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The establishment of such constituencies would lead to greater diversity in our political system. It is something that should be given active consideration. It would completely eliminate the county boundary breaches, in my view. That matter needs to be looked at.
There is a wider issue here with regard to reform in general and the lack of ambition on the part of this Government when it comes to electoral reform. We have tasked An Coimisiún Toghcháin to look at election posters, reducing the voting age to 16, directly elected mayors, local government reform, wider issues around the participation of minorities and quotas for political parties. I do not think there are any ambitions regarding the holding of referendums during the term of this Government. The Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, should be bringing these issues forward by means of its reports.
It is disappointing that the Government chose not to put in place a dedicated Minister of State with responsibility for electoral reform. With respect, the Department is a very busy one. The Minister, Deputy Browne, has responsibility for housing, which is his main priority.
We are discussing the ratio of TDs. The Cross-Party Group will not be opposing the motion. I do not think we need more TDs, but we certainly do need more councillors. The ratio of councillors to citizens, because of the abolition of borough and town councils, needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. At the very least, we need to look at the reinstatement of our five borough councils. On "Prime Time" last night, we saw how the issue of a directly elected mayor needs to be embraced again. We look with embarrassment at other European countries in which mayoral elections are taking place. The mayors in Paris and Munich are driving progressive agendas. We can do the same here, but only if full powers granted to directly elected mayors in the large urban centres.
I welcome the debate. However, I am of the view that we need to have a wider debate on these issues which, unlike this debate, is not confined to the wording of a motion before the House.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25