Offaly set to be reunited in new three-seat Dáil constituency

Offaly is to be a standalone constituency for the first time in the history of the State. According to recommendations published yesterday (Thursday) in a Constituency Commission report, there is to be a new three-seat Offaly constituency. Offaly's county boundaries are set to be restored too as voters in parts of South Offaly who were moved to the North Tipperary constituency after the last constituency review in 2007 are being returned to the county. This time it's voters in North Tipperary that have been moved, with over 10,000 Tipperary voters now looking at a future of voting in Offaly. The Commission's report also recommends splitting the current five seater Laois/Offaly constituency into two three seater constituencies. In order to hit ideal TD per population ratios the move sees Offaly take voters in North Tipperary, while the newly separate Laois constituency takes in some of Kildare. The report was published yesterday morning after being presented to Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett. Nationwide it recommends reducing TD numbers from 166 to 158 and arranging the State into 40 constituencies rather than the currernt 43. The 40 constituencies will comprise eleven five seater constituencies, 16 four seaters and 13 three seaters. The recommendations were welcomed by Fianna Fail councillor Peter Ormond. Mr Ormond, who last week became Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, said it's "great to see Offaly united again as one constituency". For more on Constituency Commission recommendations see page 4 of this week's Offaly Independent.