European Parliament  Election  2024:  Distribution of 14 seats allocated to Ireland

Introduction:

The two constituencies outside Dublin are large and unwieldy.   Allocation of an extra seat affords an opportunity to reduce the size of constituencies outside Dublin.  I propose increasing the number of constituencies from three to four.

I have looked at the eight regional populations as well as at the county populations.   The national population is: 5.148million.   There are fourteen seats which gives a ration of: 0.368 million per seat.

Insofar as possible, regional configurations should be used in seat allocation.  My proposal does so with three exceptions: Clare, Kilkenny and Longford.

Composition of proposed Constituencies:

Clare and Longford  are added to the Border and West regions to create a three seat constituency.

Kilkenny is added to the Mid East and Midland regions which have lost Longford to create a three seat constituency.

Clare and Kilkenny have been taken from the South East, South West and  Mid West regions to create a four seat constituency.

Outline of Four Constituencies:

Dublin:  4 seats, pop: 1.458m,   pop per seat: 0.365m

Border and West regions plus Longford and Clare: 3 seats, pop: 1.080m,  pop per seat: 0.360m

South East South West Mid West minus Clare and Kilkenny:  4 seats, pop: 1.471m, pop per seat: 0.368m

Mid East and Midland Region plus Kilkenny, minus Longford: 3 seats, pop: 1.139m, pop per seat:0.390m.

Summary:

The constituencies outside Dublin are more compact. The Mid East and Midland Region has a higher population per seat than the other two constituencies outside Dublin but it is smaller in size.