Sir, - We the undersigned are vehemently opposed to the proposed redrawing of constituency boundaries, which has placed the districts of Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas into the constituency of Dublin Mid-West. The three areas aforementioned, are and have been by virtue of geographical location inextricably linked to the greater Tallaght area.
The Naas dual carriageway runs in a south westerly directly from the Red Cow roundabout before reaching the county boundary. In its course it has formed a physical barrier that has acted as a source of both division and unity by forcing communities on either side to develop apart as geographically homogeneous units.
At present the Naas dual carriageway is being further widened and the construction of a flyover at Rathcoole and Saggart threatens to maximise divisions north and south of this great divide. It is therefore bewildering that the Boundary Commission which seeks to "formulate coherent constituencies, bounded by readily identifiable physical features" (pg. 32, Constituency Commission Report) should attempt to co-group communities across such a barrier.
In relation to Dublin Mid-West the Constituency Commission Report states; "a new three seat constituency (Mid-West) is created by covering the greater Clondalkin area i.e. west of the M50 between the Liffey and the Naas Road". Here the Commission identifies the three major physical boundaries which delimit the area, yet chooses to include Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas, all of which lie outside this very zone and not between the boundaries aforementioned. In addition the commission actively and forcefully separates certain townlands, such as Gortlum Brittas, from the rest of the Brittas parish.
Terms of reference (section 6 of the Electoral Act, 1997) draw attention to the policies of the Boundary Commission, which include that "each constituency shall be composed of contiguous areas". Since the construction of the Naas dual carriageway the area of Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas is no longer touching or adjoining areas to the North of this dividing feature and is therefore not, and should not be implied as being, contiguous.
The proposed creation of the constituency of Dublin Mid-West is the product of an overall attempt to "bring all Dublin variances within the 5 per cent limit from national average representation" and does not at any point seek "to unite communities" of Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas with bordering areas.
The invention of this constituency is more futile when put in context with the statement made by the Supreme Court in relation to sub clause 3 of clause 2 of article 16; "exact parity in the ratio between members and the population of each constituency is unlikely to be obtained and is not required". Instead it urges that the Commission; "adhere to well boundaries such as those of counties, townlands and electoral divisions".
The Constituency Commission, while crediting itself with the role of "uniting" communities seems to be just as effective in breaking up those already existing. It has demonstrated great hypocrisy by choosing to ignore the effect of the Naas dual carriageway as it cut in two all that lay in its path. It has disregarded electoral boundaries that unite communities south of the Naas Road and has rejected parish boundaries that have historically united townlands in all areas, including Brittas. The area of Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas is not a part of, and never will formulate, "a coherent constituency" with those of Clondalkin and Lucan, however much the Commission purports it to be. Furthermore, the notion of "minimum change" referred to in the report, undermines the detrimental effect such change would have on this particular area if the proposed redrawing should proceed.
In keeping with the interests of the communities of Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas, in keeping with the stated policies of the Report itself and in keeping with valuable advice issued by the Supreme Court, the Boundary Commission should strongly reconsider the relevance of the inclusion of these three villages in the Dublin Mid-West constituency. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Broderick, (Chairperson), Fine Gael Branch, Rathcoole
Paul Mulhern, The Labour Party, Rathcoole
Tony Flannery, Sinn Fein, Rathcoole
P.J. Reidy, Chairperson Community Council)
Christy Harte P.D., Rathcoole
Michael McAuley, (Chairperson Saggart Community Council)
Brid Hayes P.C., Fine Gael Branch, Saggart, Co. Dublin