Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

I wish to ask that same question. What is the Minister's position as regards the various authorities recommended for grouping in the report? I refer to Carlow-Kilkenny which has been ear-marked in that group. I ask if it is proposed to amalgamate Carlow and Kilkenny and if so, how far advanced are these proposals? Is it a fact that the Minister is protecting his own constituency, just as Ministers have done in the past? I happen to believe this may well be the case. Has the Minister accepted this report and its recommendations? Is there a timescale for their implementation?

The Minister of State refers to clear and cohesive leadership. However, the fact of the matter is that we are way ahead of ourselves as regards north and south Tipperary county councils. It is hardly a good idea to amalgamate north and south Tipperary county councils when the two areas are divided on a number of important issues. They are two different economic development areas with north Tipperary in the Shannon area and south Tipperary in the south east. They are divided as regards tourism regions with north Tipperary in one tourism region and south Tipperary in another. They are also divided between two different HSE regions, south Tipperary in the south east region and north Tipperary in the western region. No action has been taken with regard to any of these three divisions. If an amalgamation of north and south Tipperary county councils were to be considered, one would assume these matters would be dealt with prior to any such amalgamation. This is my view and it is a widespread view in both north and south Tipperary. It is far from clear as to the potential for cost savings. It is clear there will be no savings as a result of the amalgamation of north and south Tipperary county councils, indeed costs will be incurred by the public and the commercial sector by way of increased commercial rates.

I ask the Minister of State to address some of those issues in her reply. In my view, north and south Tipperary have been picked out from these recommendations. There is no information on when other amalgamations will happen, if ever.

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