Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

This is a very serious issue in County Clare and the fact that it has cross-party support from Deputy Dooley and myself and from the other Oireachtas Members also is an indication of the strength of support it has in the county.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating me with this debate. The Limerick Local Government Authority, which was established by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to prepare a report into the most appropriate arrangements for local government for Limerick city and county, has recommended the setting up of a single authority to manage Limerick city and county. That is fine but, unfortunately, the report also proposes that this expanded authority would include parts of County Clare which runs from Larkins Cross into Limerick city, taking in the housing estates of Shannon Banks and Westbury.

Approximately 3,000 people currently live in that area south of east Clare. The committee under Mr. Brosnan concluded that change is necessary and is motivated solely by the need to create coherent areas which will facilitate more effective governance structures. I suggest that extending the remit of a new Limerick authority into sections of County Clare is misplaced and misguided.

This report is a Limerick solution to a Limerick problem. It is not a regional solution to a regional problem, which is what is required in this case. If we are to break the cycle of unemployment and fuel an economic recovery in our region, all of our energies must be focused on working together.

I want to make it clear on behalf of the people of County Clare, and I am disappointed that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is not present, that we do not want a boundary change. The spirit of people in County Clare is best displayed in all aspects of the sporting and cultural life in our county. The Minister of State need only cast his mind back to Croke Park and 1995, when Clare hurlers bridged an 81 year gap to win the All-Ireland Hurling Final, to understand the importance and pride in County Clare and in the County Clare Jersey.

The people of County Clare have a deep sense of identifying and belonging to their county and that is no more evident than in the parishes of Meelick, Parteen, Ardnacrusha and Clonlara.

If the Minister starts to tamper with the Clare boundary where will it stop? Will Limerick demand to extend as far as Shannon Airport in a few years time?

I appeal to the Minister of State to give serious consideration to alternative proposals which would deliver greater co-operation between the local authorities in both counties, while at the same time respecting the wishes of the people of County Clare. The divide and conquer strategy has always failed so I appeal to the Minister of State to bin the proposal to extend the Limerick boundary into Clare. The development of our region will be best served by respectful understanding of our differences. Working together in a spirit of co-operation is the only way forward to restore the fortunes of the region.

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