Politics

McGrath ‘reluctant’ to cap TD numbers as politicians await revised constituency boundaries

Electoral Commission will publish recommended changes to constituency sizes and seats on Wednesday morning

Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance: “If you were to increase the amount of population per TD, it will inevitably have a consequence in the ability of an individual member to provide a high-quality service.” Picture: Fergal Phillips

Michael McGrath, the Minsiter for Finance, has said he would be “very reluctant” to change the constitution to cap the number of TDs in the Dáil.

His comments to reporters in Leinster House came just hours before Coimisiún Toghcháin, the new Electoral Commission, is due to publish its recommended changes to constituency boundaries.

Under the constitution, there must be one TD for every 20,000 to 30,000 people. The increase of Ireland’s population to 5.1 million ...