Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 7, before section 9, to insert the following new section:

"9.—The administrative area of the new Limerick Local Government Authority shall be extended to include the residential areas of Shannon Banks, Westbury, Carrig Meade and Athlundard in Co. Clare and shall also include that part of the campus of the University of Limerick also in Co. Clare.".

I referred to this issue yesterday evening as part of my Second Stage contribution to the debate. As a representative of Limerick city, the Minister of State will be well aware of the issue that is the subject of this amendment. Over the years Limerick city has spilled over into parts of County Clare. There are a number of the extensions of the urban parts of County Limerick which have been built in County Clare which, effectively, are an integral part of Limerick city. Second, the development of a large portion of the campus of the University of Limerick has also occurred in part of County Clare. That is served by a number of infrastructures, including at least three bridge crossings of the River Shannon as part of the University of Limerick campus.

From speaking to people who are involved at a senior level in local government in Limerick County Council, Limerick City Council and people who are very much at the centre of the Denis Brosnan project, which is driving this merger, the view is very much that in order for the job to be complete and to have Limerick city recognised in its totality, that these parts, which I have detailed, which are urban centres should form part of the greater Limerick city area, as part of an administrative area of the new single unitary authority. For those intents and purposes, it is right thing to do. I understand and recognise that there will be an argument about breaching of county boundaries but we have to rise above that if we are to do the right thing. In looking to the future and developing the spatial strategies throughout the country, we have to rise above small squabbles over parts of county boundaries. As local representatives, we also have to identify that.

I do not have to teach the Minister of State, as a representative of the Limerick city, how to suck eggs. She knows the issues as well as I do, if not better. It is my view and the position of our party that these areas should form part of the administrative area of the new Limerick unitary authority.

See this speech in context