Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Explainer: Why is Ireland getting more TDs?

Art O’Leary, chief executive officer of the Electoral Commission joins us explain how the changes were decided on and what factors were taken into consideration. We’re also joined by our Political Reporter Jane Matthews, Deputy Editor Christine Bohan, and Assistant News Editor Rónán Duffy to dissect the results and take a look at the political ramifications.

THIS WEEK, THE Electoral Commission announced the most wide-ranging constituency reform in the history of the State.

The changes saw the addition of 14 new TDs and changes to y constituencies.

But what will be the effects of these changes, and who will be the big winners and losers come election time?

Joining us on this week’s episode of The Explainer is Art O’Leary, chief executive officer of the Electoral Commission to explain how the changes were decided on and what factors were taken into consideration.

We’re also joined by our Political Reporter Jane Matthews, Deputy Editor Christine Bohan, and Assistant News Editor Rónán Duffy to dissect the results and take a look at the political ramifications. Who has benefited, and what we can expect to see from a general election with the new seats and boundaries?

https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/the-explainer-why-is-ireland-getting-more-tds

This episode was put together by Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan, production assistant Steven Fox and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Tyrrell
    Favourite Colin Tyrrell
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:06 PM

    Sounds like a Stalker’s Paradise.

    150
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren
    Favourite Darren
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:08 PM

    Why not have speed date flight where everyone moves every few minutes. After the seat belt light is switched off of course.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Horan
    Favourite John Horan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 6:41 PM

    Sweet, whole row to myself. (At least on flights that aren’t fully booked)

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 8:36 PM

    Well if you look like an egg I wouldn’t wonder why :)

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shades Wexford
    Favourite Shades Wexford
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 7:22 AM

    Oh Peter. That made me laugh so much. Thanks for brightening my day.

    14
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shades Wexford
    Favourite Shades Wexford
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 7:27 AM

    Hilarious Peter. Ha

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex simon
    Favourite Alex simon
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:40 PM

    Just puta photo of a fat guy with red birthmark on face… You will then have 3 seats to yourself,

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stanley
    Favourite Tony Stanley
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:09 PM

    As cabin crew myself…..are you effing serious?????? KLM must be desperate for passengers!

    A sure way to be seated next to a cat owner, stalker, rapist or axe murderer…..fortunately airport security should sort out the last one!!!!

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Tom Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:12 PM

    Could we get the opposite? A chance to veto who can sit beside us based on profile…

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Boyd
    Favourite Richard Boyd
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 7:22 PM

    “Hannibal Lector wishes to sit beside you. Allow Yes/No?” I would be interested in knowing the girth of the passenger.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Edward Byrne
    Favourite Edward Byrne
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 6:54 PM

    Novel idea bound to catch on

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irene Winters
    Favourite Irene Winters
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 12:36 AM

    For people who hate the idea just opt not to participate but wouldn’t it be great if it meant all the chatty people would seek each other out and leave the book readers, sleepers, thinkers alone

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Kennedy
    Favourite Patrick Kennedy
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 8:59 AM

    Good point :-)

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Dermody
    Favourite Jack Dermody
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 8:45 PM

    Was at a Salesforce event at September, KLM had presentation about there company and leveraging social media. Unbelievable stuff, they really showed what companies can do when you think different. Well done KLM, keep up the good work.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Crompton
    Favourite Richard Crompton
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 11:08 PM

    Fail..

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Arlene Orellana
    Favourite Arlene Orellana
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 9:52 PM

    No way to let KLM share my FB profile to any passengers that I dont know and totally stranger to me….

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Kavanagh
    Favourite Tom Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 9:14 PM

    I fly KLM long-haul regularly – will now consider changing carriers.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Donohoe
    Favourite Kevin Donohoe
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 12:14 AM

    Are they serious? Sad….. What is the world coming to?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Faz
    Favourite Eoin Faz
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 11:44 PM

    Sexy…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute robscanlon
    Favourite robscanlon
    Report
    Dec 15th 2011, 8:18 PM

    I am sure it would be an empty flight if people saw that Salman Rushdie was aboard!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Kennedy
    Favourite Patrick Kennedy
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 8:59 AM

    While it’s nice to meet interesting people and I like my social media, isn’t this just a tad creepy :-o

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gav
    Favourite Gav
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 3:28 PM

    So if you don’t pick your seat, the person beside you will assume you have, awkward, no?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Glyn Carragher
    Favourite Glyn Carragher
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 11:07 AM

    Do we get to see the FB profile of the pilot ?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra Murphy
    Favourite Sandra Murphy
    Report
    Dec 16th 2011, 1:05 PM

    Like Irene said, it is just an option. Nobody will be forced to select a ‘flight companion’! Remember, there are millions of people out there who would genuinely love this. We all know the type – they have over a thousand facebook friends, they follow anything and everything on Twitter and they’re likely helping G+ simply by logging in. Whether you like it or not people can be quite voyeuristic. That’s the inconvenient truth for you lot who panned it straight away. Social media is a tool for spying and allowing others to spy on us. If any of you ever do fly with KLM, let me know whether you were tempted to tick the box or not. I know where my money is!
    Personally, I think KLM have really put a lot of thought into this, and it is something that just might offer further insights to our behaviour with social media. Well done KLM, keep up the good work.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds