Constituency Commission - Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference

In relation to Dáil constituencies, the commission is required, in observing the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Ireland, to have regard to the following:

• The total number of members of the Dáil, subject to Article 16.2.2 of the Constitution, shall be not less than 153 and not more than 160.
• Each constituency shall return three, four or five members.
• The breaching of county boundaries shall be avoided as far as practicable.
• Each constituency shall be composed of contiguous areas.
• There shall be regard to geographic considerations including significant physical features and the extent of and the density of population in each constituency.
• The commission shall endeavour to maintain continuity in relation to the arrangement of constituencies.

The commission invites written submissions in relation to both Dáil and European Parliament constituencies from the general public and from each member of the Dáil and Seanad, and the members of the European Parliament from Ireland, registered political parties and Returning officers/County registrars.

The commission presents its report to the Chairman of the Dáil (Ceann Comhairle). The final determination of the constituencies for Dáil Éireann and the European Parliament is a matter for the Oireachtas to prescribe in legislation, as the commission's role is advisory.