Two independent reports into electoral boundaries for next year’s local elections have recommended a dramatic reduction in the number of three-seat wards and a reduction in the number of local electoral areas.
The recommendations would see the number of three-member electoral areas reduced from 24 to three and the overall number of local electoral areas reduced from 146 to 140.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley established the two boundary committees in January to review local electoral areas.
One reported on the areas of Dublin city and county and Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford cities. The other reported on the rest of the country. Submissions were invited from members of the public.
Mr Gormley said he would be implementing the recommendations as soon as possible.