The Government will not allow a review of constituency boundaries ahead of the next general election, the Labour Party claimed today.
Despite recent census figures showing huge disparities in per capita representation in some constituencies, Mr Rabbitte said the Government would not be referring to a constituency commission in time for changes ahead of the next election.
Pat Rabbitte
Prior to the resignation of Tánaiste Mary Harney yesterday, it was thought likely the general election would be held in late May or June.
Speaking in Co Tipperary today, the Labour Party leader said: "Apparently the political judgment has been reached that any redrawing of the constituency boundaries would result in significant seat losses for Fianna Fáil in the west and in Dublin.
"This decision is predominantly politically motivated and in the attempt to contain Fianna Fail seat-losses."
Mr Rabbitte claimed the Government had decided it was willing to contest any challenges before the Supreme Court, if necessary
Central Statistic Office (CSO) figures published last July showed a population increase in some constituencies as high as 21 per cent.
There is a Constitutional requirement of one TD per 20,000 to 30,000 voters. The High Court later ruled there could not be a deviation in relative representation across constituencies of more than 5 per cent.
However the CSO figures show Dublin West, Meath East, Kildare North and Louth will be under-represented at the next election and that Dublin North West, Cavan/Monaghan, Kerry North, Sligo Leitrim and Limerick West would be over-represented.
Minister for Environment and Local Government Dick Roche has insisted that because the CSO figures were preliminary, there was no requirement to refer the matter to constituency commission.
Nonetheless, the issue was referred to Attorney General Rory Brady.
The final figures are not due until next March at the earliest, but CSO director general Donal Garvey said there would be little change in the final tally.
Mr Rabbitte claimed the Government had now received the AG's advice but would not reveal it.
"Time after time in circumstances similar to these, I have called on the Government to publish the secret advice which it says compels it to do what it does.
"But, time after time, this Government has refused to stand up its argument by putting all its cards, including its legal advice, on the table," he said.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment told ireland.com, this afternoon that the AG's advice had not been received and therefore the Government position had not changed.