Naturally the politicians from the larger parties prefer to restrict the opportunities of the smaller parties and independent candidates. Originally in the 1920s there were three to eight member constituencies, but in modern times the range is three to five members. Mind you the Scottish version of the same system limits the local government constituencies to three or four members. Politicians do not seem to want to maximise popular choice, for some reason.
Three seaters are a bit small, and Dublin West is far too big now to be a three seater, since it's where a good portion of the country's population growth has concentrated.
What would you consider ideal?
The power and convenience of the voters is the important thing, not that of the politicians.
