Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will undoubtedly clarify the issue as we go through the Bill. However, if he tries to amalgamate the system into a county structure, it will be an utter disaster. He referred to the possibility of handling this at a municipal level. That might work. The idea of a single Leader company covering everything from west Cork to Youghal is farcical. I could refer to somewhere closer to where I live. Unless one travels across the lake, one cannot get from Connemara to the rest of County Galway without going through another local authority's area. Being included again in a single, large county organisation would be farcical. Previously, there was just one person from Connemara or west of the Corrib on a board of 23 people. This issue needs clarification. I am for positive reform, but I am not for destroying that which works. Nor am I in favour of ignoring natural geography and affinities.

The Bill makes no mention of the Gaeltacht's unique situation. It has its own authority, yet no recognition has been given to Údarás na Gaeltachta, which was an elected authority for the Gaeltacht area until this Government entered into office. The Bill seems to make no provision for ensuring the delivery of comprehensive services for the people of the Gaeltacht in a language that the Government has committed to develop under the 20-year strategy.

I am always surprised by the argument that the idea of a municipal area should not apply to Dublin city. The belief that north of the Liffey, the old Pembroke ward and the south of the city comprise an amorphous totality unlike the rest of the country where we accept the idea of municipalities is far from my experience of this city. In reality, there is less contact between people in its different areas than there is between people from rural areas that are much farther apart. Therefore, I cannot understand why there will not be municipal powers for the city's electoral areas. They are chalk and cheese, as there is no connection between different parts of this city on a daily basis or the people living therein. I do not know who is advising the Minister. I presume that many of the people advising his Department live in Dublin. They should be aware-----

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