Abstract
The lead up to the next general election began on 7 January 2004, with the publication of the Constituency Commission report on recom- mended Dail constituency boundaries for that election. Differential levels of population change between 1996 and 2002, with particularly high levels of population increase in eastern Ireland, ensured that considerable changes to boundaries would be involved. Seat losses were expected in Cork, the North West and North Midlands area, and the North City constituencies in Dublin. Seat gains were expected for the commuter-belt counties of Kildare and Meath, as well as for the rapidly growing western suburbs of Dublin. The decisions of the commission were of great interest to the different political parties, as well as to individual politicians for whom a boundary change might greatly impact on their future electoral prospects. The report was also likely to have a particular bearing on certain areas and their representation levels, as well as their levels of political engagement and participation.
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