DONEGAL is to lose a TD after it was confirmed today that the county is to become one constituency, with part of the south of the county joining Sligo.
At the next general election the electorate will return five TDs instead of six.
Parts of south of the county around Ballyshannon and Bundoran will return to the Sligo constituency.
Senator Jimmy Harte welcomed to move.
“I welcome the recommendations of the Constituency Commission published today. For too long Donegal has been split into two three-seaters and areas like St. Johnston were part of Donegal South-West, which meant that the closest TD to them is over 50 miles away. The proposed changes will give the Finn Valley area more clout in electing a TD and a five0-seat constituency in Donegal will help smaller parties gain representation,” said Senator Jimmy Harte.
The report of the Constituency Commission advises that Sligo and Leitrim, along with some of south Donegal and west Cavan, should make up a four-seat constituency called Sligo Leitrim.
The Constituency Commission has proposed sweeping changes to Dáil boundaries and a reduction in the number of TDs from 166 to 158.
