Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government asked me to convey his apologies on not being able to attend the Dáil tonight to the two Deputies who raised this very important matter from their point of view.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government established the Limerick local government committee in February of this year under Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 to prepare a report into the most appropriate arrangements for local government for the city and county of Limerick. The committee was specifically tasked with making recommendations for improved arrangements, to help inform Government decision making. Mr. Denis Brosnan chaired the committee. Mr. Brosnan is also chair of the mid-west task force, and his personal achievements in the business world lend additional weight to the independent perspective of the committee.

In noting the decline in particular of Limerick's urban core, the high levels of unemployment and the significant deprivation, the committee concluded that the multiplicity of authorities in the area had led to unhelpful competition, policy fragmentation and a lack of coherence. The report, published earlier this month, contains the committee's recommendations on the current structures of local government in Limerick. These are directed at renewing local government with the objective of addressing the social and economic difficulties in Limerick.

The committee's principal recommendations include the incorporation of the contiguous urban areas of Limerick within an expanded city area. Such a city area would have a population of almost 100,000, including approximately five square kilometres of land with a population of approximately 3,000 which is currently part of Clare, and would, therefore, be the third largest city in the State. It also recommends the establishment of a new unified Limerick local authority to represent, manage and administer the city and county of Limerick, replacing Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council. The new authority would service a population of approximately 187,000 people.

The committee considered that there is a compelling case for the proposed change with regard to the hinterland of Limerick city in southern Clare. The committee pointed out that this change will not affect divisions used for purposes other than local government, for example, by sporting associations. There is a very proud sporting tradition in Clare and we in Cork fully appreciate that. All stakeholders should examine the report carefully and consider the recommendations it contains with a view to determining the benefits for the mid-west region as a whole. A strong city is a crucial component of a strong region.

It is significant that the business community in Limerick has called for the implementation of the report's recommendations as soon as possible. The Limerick Chamber of Commerce is unequivocal in its support. Shannon Development has also welcomed the report and has given all of the recommendations its strong support, stating that, "the long-term economic development prospects of the Shannon Region are best served by having Limerick City as a strong, vibrant metropolitan core fulfilling its potential as the economic driving force of the Region". Greater local government coherence in Limerick is necessary for many reasons, including to help support regional development, improve the business environment and to play its role in the major regeneration efforts currently under way.

The strength of county identities and the attachment people have to their counties is acknowledged. The Minister notes that the committee took the position that the need to create coherent areas to facilitate more effective governance structures should not be overridden by such attachments, however strong.

It is important that we act on Limerick, and the Minister, Deputy Gormley, will soon bring proposals to Government for discussion with a view to early implementation of the Government's decisions. In the meantime, pending Government consideration, comment by the Minister in any further detail on the report's recommendations would be inappropriate, other than to observe that the detailed analysis presented in the committee's report presents an extremely strong argument for action on the current structures of local government in Limerick.

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