John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a perception out there that this is not about better local government but about cuts and savings. I believe what we will have is a greater divide between the citizens and the Government for the many people looking for more transparency in government and from politicians.

No matter what way we dress up this report, it proposes a downgrading of Waterford city's status and it further weakens its standing alongside cities like Galway and Cork. Some 1,898 jobs were created by the IDA in Galway and jobs were created in Limerick and Cork but none were created in Waterford in 2011. How is a demoted Waterford city expected to compete? Will we be in a position where, for example, no dedicated staff will be looking after the city despite the fact we are supposed to be competing with Cork, Galway and Dublin for inward investment? There is no consistency. Why were we not treated the same as Cork and Galway?

Waterford city is the natural centre for the headquarters to be located, being both central and highly populated, but it is also the gateway and commercial hub of the south east under the existing spatial strategy of this and the previous Government. Waterford has comparable key strengths, including its highly developed industrial infrastructure and quality of life at low cost, and the city is an intersection point for Irish biochemistry, sciences and ICT international services. In addition, the new M9 motorway has made possible a journey time between Waterford and all other areas of 90 minutes. The question everyone in Waterford is asking, including the mayor, who is a member of the Minister's party, is why we were not treated the same as Cork and Galway, given Galway is of comparable size?

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