Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the councillors for their contributions as well as for their work at local and European level, which is much appreciated. My question, specifically to Councillor Maria Byrne, is about the whole structure of Limerick City Council.

Limerick city and county are now under one council. People might not be aware that there is greater industrial output in the Cork-Kerry region than in Dublin and the greater Dublin region. We are doing well, particularly in the Cork region. A report will be produced at the end of October or beginning of November about whether Cork county and city councils should amalgamate. The population is 526,000 in County Cork and in the Cork-Kerry region it is over 650,000. From their own experience do the witnesses think there is an advantage in the reforms that have occurred or is it too early to judge? For example, does Limerick have a stronger pitch for getting its share of the national cake because there is now a coordinated approach, instead of many local authorities competing with one another? Would there be a better distribution of jobs and other infrastructural development if Cork city and county councils amalgamate? I am not talking about competing with Limerick or Waterford for jobs but about moving outside Dublin and the greater Dublin region, and the allocation of jobs to Limerick.