Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

A boundary extension into County Clare is unnecessary, inappropriate and seeks to resolve a problem that does not exist. Such action will divide people of a common heritage, alienate them from their roots and undermine the foundation of their identity. Those citizens of County Clare whose identity is immersed in the history, heritage and community of County Clare would be dealt an unwarranted and unwelcome injustice if a boundary extension was granted for no obvious gain or mitigating benefit. In essence, these people would be robbed of their identity to resolve a bureaucratic impasse that has arisen in the minds of some. The governance of an area, region, county or parish should exist to serve the people and not to serve the bureaucracy.

I reject without reservation the proposal to extend the city of Limerick into County Clare. I reject the assertion that those people who live in that area have not got a real connection with County Clare and can, at the stroke of a pen, find themselves reclassified as Limerick people. The bedrock of our society is based on parish and county boundaries, and one's identity is intrinsically linked to this structure.

I reject the notion that this move will somehow improve the prospects of attracting foreign investment to the region and, consequently, improve the job prospects of those who so tragically occupy the jobseekers' queue. The report has not outlined in any material way how one job will be created or the life of one resident improved by this hostile act.

A smoke screen has been created by some in the region who have had a land grab on their minds for many decades. I appeal to those in control of Limerick City Council, namely, the Labour and Fine Gael members, to withdraw their stated desire to extend the boundary of Limerick city into County Clare. Since this issue is being debated in the House I ask the leadership of Fine Gael and Labour to bring to bear on the councillors in Limerick city the views and wishes of the people of the county I represent. They must make a clear signal of their views on this matter.

I reject the public utterances of the chairman of the boundary committee in which he implies that this is just the beginning of the process and that if Clare County Council does not do as he says, more land will be taken. That sounds like an individual who is used to getting his own way. The last time I checked, this is still a democracy and that individual was not elected to any public office. His role is in an advisory capacity and only an advisory capacity.

While the Minister must take the advice that emanates from people like that I ask that he would listen also to the advice and views coming from this House. In my short time in the Dáil I have demonstrated a capacity to support tough and unpopular decisions where I have adjudged them to be in the best interest of the country, county or region. If I thought for one minute that the movement of the boundary was the right thing to do, I would support it, but it is not, and I will not support any moves to alter the boundary between Limerick and Clare.

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