Leading FF TDs have little option but to move constituency

Many prominent Fianna Fáil TDs are likely to move constituency following boundary changes which threaten their political careers.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, who described himself as the "biggest casualty" of the changes, lost around half of his personal vote due to the redrawing of constituency boundaries.

Mr O'Keeffe's base in Ballincollig was lost to Cork North West, a three-seater which already has two Fianna Fáil TDs, while much of his support in rural parts of his existing constituency was lost to Cork North Central.

"I was traumatised by it. I couldn't believed that on both sides of the equation it was so serious," he said.

"The election is three years down the line, so I'm going to consult widely within the party. In the meantime, I was elected to represent Cork South Central and I'm going to continue doing that."

Mr Donie Cassidy, Fianna Fáil TD for Westmeath, also lost around a quarter of his voting base.

The deputy said last night he would consider moving to the newly-created constituency of Longford-Westmeath following changes to the boundary maps.

"I am one of the injured parties. That's the way it goes. At the same time, we have three years to adjust and to get used to the new constituencies," Mr Cassidy said.

"I live seven miles from Longford border and the people who supported me all have relations across the border. They've never let me down, and I've no reason to believe they won't again."

Mr Cassidy will see much of his existing Westmeath constituency absorbed into the newly-created Meath West constituency, which already has two Fianna Fáil TDs. They are the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, and Mr Johnny Brady.

Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Mr John Ellis, also faces an election headache after his constituency was split in two.

He said the changes could mean that Leitrim, the county with the smallest population in the country, might not be represented in the Dáil.

"Basically, it's back to the constituency as it existed in 1977, which resulted in Leitrim having no TDs. The bottom line is that I have to move to Roscommon-South Leitrim. It's all I can do after losing one-third of my vote," Mr Ellis said.

A redrawing of constituency boundaries across the north midlands will split Co Leitrim, while the new three-seat constituencies will be Sligo-North Leitrim and Roscommon-South Leitrim.

Mr Ellis said there was no point challenging the result of the commission's decision, as one TD has hinted at doing.

"There's no place for trauma. It was outside the control of everyone. You move on, you do what you decide to do. I'll seek a nomination and ensure Leitrim has a TD in the next Dáil," Mr Ellis said.

Some of the larger parties are also eyeing up the changes with a view to increasing their representation.

The report recommended an extra seat each for Kildare North and Dublin Mid West to make them four-seaters, reflecting the movement of people out of the capital.

All the major parties were last night predicting that the changes provided fresh opportunities for them to increase their vote.

The report conclusions would see three five-seat constituencies, five four-seaters and four three-seaters.

The increase in three-seat constituencies, which traditionally benefit larger parties, is likely to be welcomed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour.