Ireland's Dáil could grow to as many as 276 TDs under current constitutional rules, political observers have warned, after new census figures showed a sharp rise in population. The country's population has climbed to 5,525,600, an increase of 402,464 (7.8 per cent) since 2022, and because the Constitution ties the number of TDs to population size with no upper limit, seat numbers must rise automatically unless voters approve a cap via referendum. Senator and former Attorney General Michael McDowell is pushing for such a referendum, arguing it would be more useful than recent "woke-style" votes, while the Government is wary of another defeat after the heavily lost 2024 Family and Care referendum.

Under Article 16.2 of the Constitution, each TD must represent between 20,000 and 30,000 people, meaning the Dáil must expand from its current 174 seats to at least 184. Political scientist Adrian Kavanagh estimates the true range for the next Electoral Commission boundary review could run from 185 up to as many as 276 seats, potentially reviving six-seat constituencies. McDowell has also warned that Leinster House physically cannot accommodate many more TDs and would need costly rebuilding, while government sources are divided—some fear a repeat of the Family and Care backlash, others believe a seat-cap referendum would be popular, though sitting TDs are reportedly reluctant to back any reduction in seats.