Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

There is no great problem where consent exists. In Wexford, for example, the municipal boundaries were extended into the county council area by common agreement. There is no such common agreement between Limerick city and county councils. In the latter case, and in that involving Waterford, I suggest that a much more common sense approach, rather than a hegemonic attitude, be adopted by both the ambitious council and that which is trying to repel its ambition. Representatives of the councils should come together and negotiate.

Many of our cities and towns have historic boundaries that have nothing to do with modern considerations. The last county was created in 1604 and the decision in this regard had nothing to do with Irish tradition or culture or the arrangements that preceded the shiring of Ireland into counties. It is astonishing, therefore, that there is such vigorous support for proposals in this area.

I attended a meeting of Limerick City Council at which major ambition was evident among councillors from across the political divide to change the boundaries and extend them into counties Clare and Limerick. On a radio chat show at the time, a lady from the Clare side of the boundary stated that if I were to facilitate this change it would be the worst travesty of natural justice since the day the Wehrmacht marched into Poland. Her contribution demonstrates some of the attitude of locals towards the proposal. People in Kilkenny are concerned that if we were to cede part of the county to the city of Waterford it would have a major impact on the county hurling team. Even though I was born and reared in Wexford and hurling is the sport I most actively follow, I would be rightly criticised by the people of Kilkenny if I was to eviscerate their hurling team's chances going forward. Wexford will be obliged to find another way to defeat Kilkenny.

I accept that point made by Deputy O'Dowd but I am of the view that, as has been the case in a number of instances, a smidgin of common sense would resolve the problem. The work of the commission will not have a direct impact on that.

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