Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called for the reunification of Donegal into one single Dail constituency.
The Leas Cheann Comhairle has called on the Constituency Commission to restore Donegal into one constituency and to return the parts of South Donegal which were as part of the Boundary Commission of 2012 transferred to Sligo Leitrim Constituency.
The West Donegal TD said the breakup of Donegal in 2012 was a retrograde step and one which had extremely negative consequences for the people of south Donegal.
“The proposal which I submitted to the Commission was based on the return of south Donegal into the existing five seat constituency of Donegal; this was based on the premise that the Dail is increased to 160 seat chamber.
“The population of south Donegal which now forms part of the Sligo Leitrim constituency feel completely disenfranchised and have no natural affinity to the constituency which they were forced to be part of- this was demonstrated in the 2016 General Election with a record low turnout at the election. I believe the present commission has sufficient scope as part of their recommendations and guidelines to recommend the reunification of Donegal into one single constituency.”
Deputy Gallagher urged the Commission to seize the opportunity now and correct the mistake of 2012.
He added “South Donegal was severed from the rest of Donegal in order to satisfy broadly based guidelines without taking any consideration of historical links, geographical connections and natural affinity of the people of south Donegal.
“There is only one natural home for the people of south Donegal and that is to be part of the Constituency of Donegal. There is only one Donegal and that must include south Donegal.”
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