Kilkenny TD says politicians should not be 'obliged' to support new boundary changes

Kilkenny Fianna Fail TD, John McGuinness, has called on politicians to 'challenge' the Boundary Commission's report which proposes parts of North-West Kilkenny be subsumed into a new three-seater Tipperary North constituency.

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy McGuiness said: "We will go along with what is proposed, but that goes to show you the level of democracy that is in this place. We are afraid of ourselves in case we do something wrong. We should look at the commission's report, and any report that comes before us, and not be afraid to amend it if it is in the interests of the people that we represent and, in this case, if it is in the interests of democracy, because that is all we have."

"Political parties have derailed democracy to a degree. They have taken charge of it. What we have now is a directed democracy. Parliamentary parties of one kind or another in the House - I can certainly speak for my own – tend to put a straitjacket on each of the Members to ensure there is very little debate," McGuinness claimed.

"The commission might be part of democracy, but the real democratic process is in here and this is where we should challenge the commission or any other state agency."

The commission's report recommends that 13 Kilkenny EDs form part of the Tipperary North constituency, with areas including: Baunmore, Galmoy, Glashare, Urlingford, Johnstown, Lisdowney, Balleen, Clomantagh, Tubbridbrittain, Freshford, Rathealy, Ballybeagh and Tullaroan.

The Carlow-Kilkenny TD expressed his disapproval of the change, labelling the move a 'ridiculous decision'.

"Who in the name of God would think it is okay to put in a big chunk of north Kilkenny into Tipperary when they cannot stand us and we cannot stand them on the hurling field? There is huge attachment to parish and community. I believe in the integrity of the county. It should be protected at all costs. It was a ridiculous decision and one that the House should not feel obliged to adopt.

"We have agreed in principle that we will accept what comes from the commission, but where there is something as blatantly obvious as that it should not happen."

Mr McGuinness went on to say he fears they'll be a low voting turn-out if the change is adopted.

"We are trying to encourage people to vote. All I hear in that part of north Kilkenny is people saying that they will not vote at all. That is sad. I would like to see more done about Members here having a voice. We do not want to gerrymander, but when common sense approaches are brought to the matter being debated we should listen to them. The decision in north Kilkenny is the wrong one," McGuinness remarked.