A big shake-up is coming to Leinster House.
The number of TDs in the Dáil will increase following the next General Election, according to reports.
On Wednesday evening (13 April), Cabinet reportedly granted approval to a proposal that the number of seats in the next Dáil be risen to at least 169 but no more than 179.
There are currently 160 TDs attached to Dáil Éireann.
Housing Minster Darragh O’Brien is said to have brought the memo to Cabinet requesting the increase on account of Ireland’s rising population.
It is understood that the exact number of finalised added seats will be decided after the publication of the latest census results.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing told JOE:
“The Electoral Commission will be required, following the next census of population, to recommend Dáil constituencies based on a total number of members in Dáil Éireann of not less than 169 and not more than 179.
“This is proposed in response to the latest estimates (i.e. 5,011,500) from the Central Statistics Office in respect of population growth.
“The Commission are independent in this work.”
Main image via Laura Hutton / RollingNews.ie
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