Special Report by Dan Walsh
As forecast with applaudable precision by WexfordLocal.com last week the date for polling in the General Election will be Friday, November 29th. Speaking on RTE’s Six-One News this evening Taoiseach Simon Harris TD announced that the 33rd Dáil will be officially dissolved on Friday afternoon after the Taoiseach travels to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet with President Michael D. Higgins.
Already several candidates have declared their intention to fight for a seat in the new 3-seat Wicklow-Wexford constituency and there may be a few more names on the ticket when nominations close!
Big names such as Senator Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Brian Brennan (Fine Gael) and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain (Sinn Féin) are canvassing in both counties while Cllr Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fáil) from Arklow enjoyed a day knocking on doors in Kilmuckridge district last week!
And another piece of news! WexfordLocal.com is reliably informed that the Count Centre for the new Wicklow-Wexford constituency will be Kilanerin Community Centre.
But the greatest nightmare is likely to be along the new boundary that divides the county at Scarawalsh roundabout where thousands of voters will be faced with being unable to support candidates or party representatives that have been part of their community since the foundation of the State!
There will be a scramble in the coming days and weeks as the electorate inform themselves of their electoral areas and location of polling booths.
And after the election some elected members of Wexford County Council will find themselves outside of the Wexford constituency while seeking funding and support for development and investment in the so-called north Wexford region.
Interesting days ahead! As for the three elected in South Wicklow – North Wexford and the four elected in the Wexford constituency and occupying seats in Leinster House, or the near-miss heroes who gain passage to Seanad Éireann, their worries won’t unduly impact on their lifestyle!
The Electoral Commission Constituency Review Report 2023, recommended the formation of a new 3-seat constituency called Wicklow-Wexford.
This constituency should comprise 41 electoral districts with a population of 49,743 from north Wexford and 31 electoral districts with a population of 35,708 from south Wicklow. The Wicklow-Wexford constituency would have a population of 85,451.
To facilitate the new constituency of Wicklow-Wexford it was decided to reduce the two 5-seat constituencies of Wicklow and Wexford by one seat each and added an additional seat to create this new 3-seat constituency.
Three constituencies are now contained in the counties of Wexford and Wicklow and will be operable for the next General Election. The new boundary between the Wexford constituency and the new Wicklow-Wexford constituency will follow the north electoral divisions to include north of Kilmuckridge, Wells, Monageer, Ballycarney, Castledockrell, Ballindaggin, Rossard and Bunclody. Several parish communities will be divided for election purposes.
WexfordLocal.com 