Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 25:

In page 26, to delete lines 1 to 12.

The amendment is straightforward. It relates to earlier amendments on the dissolution of Limerick City Council and Waterford City Council. We believe there is justification for retaining them as they are strong local authorities in their own right. They are major cities, and they are growing. Both of them have their own problems with which to deal. Waterford has a problem in terms of employment. Limerick is going through major regeneration and we believe Limerick City Council should be retained. Councillors from Abbeyfeale, and I have nothing against councillors from Abbeyfeale, may be a little lost in Garryowen or some of the other districts. In fairness to them, they have distinct problems in Abbeyfeale and other such areas but a councillor from the far-flung areas of west Limerick, down to Knocknagoshel, would have a different ethos and different priorities compared to the problems councillors must deal with in some of the suburbs of Limerick.