A Fianna Fáil backbencher has said he believes the Opposition can convince the Taoiseach to call for a review of proposed changes to constituencies.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore revealed today that Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kennedy, Dublin North, had told a constituent concerned about the plan to split Swords in two that Fianna Fáil would be accused of gerrymandering if it interfered.
"The only way this proposal will be defeated is if FG and Labour 'kick-up' a fuss then FF would be willing to refer the matter back to the [Constituency Commission's] committee for review . . ." Mr Kennedy wrote in an e-mail to the constituent.
"So far FG and Labour are silent on the issue and if Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore came out strongly against . . . I am certain Bertie Ahern would gladly refer the proposals back."
Mr Kennedy's e-mail reflected what other Fianna Fáil TDs have been saying to constituents in different parts of the State, Mr Gilmore claimed.
"If the Government is dissatisfied with the proposals received from the commission last year, then it should have the courage to say so . . . it should not, however, expect the Opposition parties to do its underhand work for it," Mr Gilmore said.
The Labour leader, who has repeatedly called for a review of last year's recommendations, described Mr Kennedy's comments as "a breathtaking act of cynicism and political cowardice".
He added: "I am already on record as calling for a number of significant changes to the process for reviewing Dáil constituencies. I specifically suggested that the commission should be required to publish draft proposals for changes on which the public would then be entitled to make submissions."
Mr Kennedy told ireland.comthat Labour senators and councillors were opposed to the plan to divide Swords, which would lead to the River Valley area of Swords transferring to Dublin West.
The population had increased 20 per cent since the previous census, and the constituency was due to expand hugely under the Fingal County development plan. The commission's recommendation defied the principle of trying to maintain contiguous areas within constituencies, the TD added.
"There is no justification for this under any circumstances. There is a large landbank between Swords and Blanchardstown. You have to travel round the M50 or down backroads to get between the two. River Valley will become the poor relation," Mr Kennedy said.
He added he would raise the issue at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting after Easter with a view to having it debated in the Dáil.
"It needs all-party support. If the Government were to refer the matter back to the commission, undoubtedly Opposition parties would accuse it of gerrymandering," said Mr Kennedy, who topped the poll in the four seat-constituency last year.
The commission recommended last November that Dún Laoghaire and Limerick East should lose a seat while Louth and Dublin West should each gain a seat. It proposed moving 13,000 voters from Dublin North to Dublin West to create sufficient population to merit a four-seat constituency.
The Constituency Commission Report 2007also recommended revisions to 20 other constituencies ranging from Donegal North East to Kerry South. Under the Constitution, no fewer than 20,000 and no more than 30,000 people should be represented by a TD, where practical.