Constituency Commission recommends cutting number of TDs by eight
The Constituency Commission has recommended cutting the number of TDs in Leinster House by eight - from 166 to 158.
The Report on Dáil and European Parliament Constituencies 2012 has also recommended a reduction in the number of constituencies around the country from 43 to 40 - as well as a number of wide ranging changes to boundaries, with only eight constituencies left untouched.
This would be achieved through radical changes to many constituencies in Dublin, Cork, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Laois and Kildare.
The Taoiseach's own constituency of Mayo would be reduced from a five- to a four-seater.
Under the proposals, there would be 11 five-seat constituencies, 16 four-seaters and 13 three-seaters.
The Commission has recommended no changes to the arrangement of constituencies for the European Parliament.
Speaking in the Dáil, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said that he expects legislation will now be drawn up based on the findings.
"The report has just been issued so obviously the Government hasn't had an opportunity of examining it yet," he said.
"It has normally been the practice that the report of the independent commission is excepted by Government, and legislation is prepared and then brought into the House to give it effect".
"I expect that that's what's going to take place on this occasion."
Labour TD Kevin Humphries meanwhile said he accepts the recommendations of the Commission.
His own constituency of Dublin South-East has changed boundaries and been renamed to Dublin Bay-South.
He said the changes are positive for the most part.
"It's the outcome of an independent commission; I certainly accept the proposals by the Commission and look forward to work with the new boundaries and the new areas that have been recommended," he said.
"I personally would prefer the names being looked at again, but as far as the representation, the reduction in the number of Deputies and the boundaries I fully accept," he added.
The county of Cork - including Cork city - will make up the following five constituencies:
Cork East - 4 seat, unchanged
Cork North Central - 4 seat, unchanged
Cork North West - 3 seat, unchanged
Cork South Central - 4 seat, down from 5
Cork South West - 3 seat, unchanged
Sligo and Leitrim with some of south Donegal and from west Cavan should form a 4 seater called Sligo-Leitrim
The rest of Donegal should form a 5 seater
The rest of Cavan with the county of Monaghan should become a 4 seater
Galway West with some of South Mayo should remain a 5 seater
The rest of Mayo should form a 4 seater
Roscommon with some of east Galway should form a 3 seater called Roscommon-Galway
The county of Kerry should form a 5 seater
The county of Limerick should form a 4 seat Limerick City constituency and a 3 seater called Limerick County.
County of Waterford - including the city - should form a 4 seater
Offaly with some of north west Tipperary should form a 3 seater
The rest of Tipperary will form a 5 seater
Laois with some of south Kildare will form a 3 seater
The rest of Kildare will form a 4 seater and a 3 seater
Dublin City should largely form the five constituencies of:
Dublin Bay North (5 seat)
Dublin North West (3 seat)
Dublin Central (3 seat)
Dublin South Central (4 seat)
Dublin Bay South (4 seat)
Dublin outside of the city should form the 6 constituencies of:
Dublin Fingal (5 seat)
Dublin West (4 seat)
Dublin Mid West (4 seat, unchanged)
Dublin South West (5 seat)
Dublin Rathdown (3 seat)
Dun Laoighaire (4 seat)
Carlow-Kilkenny (5 seat)
Clare (4 seat)
Longford-Westmeath (4 seat)
Louth (5 seat)
Meath East (3 seat)
Meath West (3 seat)
Wexford (5 seat)
Wicklow (5 seat)
