Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I agree with the previous speaker. There is not one shred of democracy in this Bill. The proposed boundary changes will have a detrimental effect on the county of Cork. The loss of revenue from areas such as Glanmire, Blarney and Ballincollig will result in a significant drain of revenue from the county in the long term. I represent rural areas in west Cork, some of which are the most disadvantaged in the country. We cannot afford any loss of revenue in the long term. The proposed transfer of a large area from Cork County Council to Cork City Council is a land grab that will have a significant detrimental effect on Cork County Council. I believe the Blarney Tower and adjacent hinterlands should remain within the Cork County Council area and not be transferred to the city. This would result in a population of 6,357 people remaining within the county. One only has to look at the quality of our roads, particularly in west Cork. They are a glaring example of what under-investment and lack of revenue can do to an area but what will happen after this?

I propose that Cork local authorities commence a joint review of operation of the financial settlement. If after the completion of a review, Cork City Council fails to comply with subsection 13, the Minister may, after consultation with the oversight committee and within a period of no later than three months, make a settlement amending a financial settlement.

Further to this, in the event of Cork City Council being unwilling or unable to make the contribution to Cork County Council, for whatever reason, the Minister, on behalf of the State, will guarantee the payment to Cork County Council.

I ask the Minister of State where does democracy work here? Every Cork county councillor, whether from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin or independent, totally opposes the proposed changes and they have conveyed this view to the Government and Oireachtas Members.

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