Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When people in Ballincollig in particular saw the Government's decision late last year to extend the boundary, they were taken aback. There was great surprise that it was proposed to extend the boundary so far west. There was also surprise in Blarney because they did not think it was necessary to extend that far. It was well recognised that it was necessary to extend the city boundary to allow it to grow, but for many people the biggest issue is that they feel they had no say in the decision, which they feel was pushed on them. They have many real concerns that must be addressed. For instance, people in business in Ballincollig are concerned whether rates or payment for parking will be introduced. People would like the Powdermills to be developed. Spike Island is a tourist opportunity. Similarly, they would like to see the regional park being developed. They want all this to be done right. They are worried that the city will not recognise these things. They want to have a say about these things and to be heard.

Some 400 services from the county will be transferred to Cork City Council. It is important that this is done in an orderly and timely way and that it does not drag on. After next summer's local elections, where people have been elected to City Hall and the city manager is responsible, who do people approach about services not being handed over properly? There needs to be a time limit and a proper, orderly transition made in the interests of the people in the area which is transitioning.

The point about the loss of resources to the council has been well made, with an estimated loss of €30 million. It is crucial that is made up to the county. The original understanding of the implementation group was that that type of payment would last far beyond ten years. However, the proposed legislation features a review as early as three years and a second only a few years after. Therefore, this funding could be gone within ten years, which is not adequate. It must be dealt with in amendments. There are many issues which concern people in Ballincollig and the area that will move, as well as people who are based further west.

They want to make sure that the county will not be disadvantaged. I will raise a number of those issues on Committee Stage.

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