What boundary changes mean to me

THE recent publication of the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee’s report will mean a sea change in how the Local Elections are fought in Dublin in 2014.

Nationally the number of local authorities has been reduced from 114 to 31 so there will be fewer council seats and a reduction in the number of councillors elected.

However, while there will be an increase in the number of councillors in Dublin, familiar local constituencies have now changed with old areas removed while others have been merged.

The Dáil constituency of Dublin Bay South will have 14 seats split between Pembroke-South Dock (8) and Rathgar- Rathmines (6) while Dublin South Central will have 12 seats split between Ballyfermot -Drimnagh (6) and Crumlin-Kimmage (6)

The impact of the boundary changes on my old four-seat Crumlin Kimmage electoral ward will see the area split into three, with four electoral districts of Walkinstown/Drimnagh moving to a six-seat Ballyfermot/ Drimnagh electoral ward; six electoral districts remaining in a six-seat Crumlin Kimmage ward where they are added to 12 electoral districts of South Inner City, and five electoral districts (Harold’s Cross/Terenure) moving to a six-seat Rathmines/ Rathgar ward.

Recommendations put half of Dublin 12 into Ballyfermot, with the other half of Dublin 12 going to the South Inner City.

This does not reflect the identity of the communities of Crumlin/Drimnagh and Walkinstown in particular. In Crumlin Village the Garda station will be in Crumlin Kimmage while St Agnes Church will be in Ballyfermot/Drimnagh.

The new boundaries, while remedying some boundary issues, for example in Terenure Village, is creating new boundary issues, for example in Crumlin Village.

The new situation is simply to draw a line on a map, which splits D12, with no regard for long standing local identities in Dublin South Central.

The Boundary Committee should have had regard to the canal as the natural boundary between communities of many generations standing.

I am strongly of the view that Crumlin, Kimmage, Drimnagh and Walkinstown should be kept together. However, the electoral boundaries are now set.

In the east of the area, the five electoral districts of Harold’s Cross and Terenure (Terenure A-D and Kimmage C) transfer into the Rathmines Rathgar electoral area.

This reflects the new Dáil boundary for Dublin Bay South and has the benefit of joining up Harold’s Cross and Terenure villages within the same electoral area.

Councillors who served in the old Crumlin/Kimmage electoral area find it is now divided into three areas.

Each councillor will have to choose which area they wish to contest having regard to their support base.

The most logical area for me to represent in future is the Harold’s Cross and Terenure electoral areas where my support has been strongest.

I will be moving to the Rathmines Rathgar electoral area where I know the Harold’s Cross and Terenure portions and will need to establish myself in Milltown, Ranelagh, Rathmines and Rathgar.

This will be a new area for me to represent and will no doubt give rise to new experiences along the way.