Labour opposed to Sligo-Leitrim constituency division

The division of county Leitrim by the Constituency Commission and the creation of a new Sligo/North Leitrim 3 seat Dail constituency and a new Roscommon/South Leitrim 3 seat constituency has been described as disappointing and unfair by Labour Alderman Declan Bree.

Alderman Bree said "I accept that the Constituency Commission is independent and impartial and is obliged to make recommendations according to the changing demographics in the country. However the reality is that the increased number of three-seat constituencies and the reduction in five-seat constituencies will make it more difficult for the Labour Party and smaller parties to have representation in the Dail.

"The manner in which county Leitrim has been split with portion of it remaining with Sligo and the other portion being added to Roscommon, in my view is not appropriate. While it may not be intentional the reality is that Leitrim is being treated as second-class." said Alderman Bree.

The North Leitrim Labour spokesperson Mr Gabriel McSharry said that he was very angry with the outcome of the Commissions review. "The fact is that splitting the county will make in almost impossible to have a Leitrim candidate elected to the Dail.

"We are the smallest county in Ireland. We have suffered excessively, particularly over the past 30 years because of our geographical position so close to the border. Now at a time when the violence has ended and at a time when Leitrim's population is beginning to grow, we have this decision which I firmly believe will undermine morale in the county. If there is to be change my preference would be to see counties amalgamated, with four, five or six seat constituencies. This decision to split the county will not help Leitrim or the Labour Party." said Mr McSharry.