Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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This issue was discussed this morning in the Dáil and the Minister of State is on record as supporting the people of Roscommon in respect of it. It makes no sense whatsoever that someone decided to take from Roscommon a part of what is Roscommon's. The position with regard to rates and future rates must also be considered. People do not realise that, in 1975 or 1976, Roscommon County Council, without funding from the Department of the Environment, put in the infrastructure to create an area in Monksland which has boomed. Some 1,000 people are employed in the pharmaceutical industry there. This is a good news story.

We must examine the area which should be Roscommon's and which was given to Westmeath years ago. When we look at it now, we see it has been depleted. Travelling through the area, it is clear it was never looked after by Westmeath. Some 1,500 people did not just show up at a meeting in Athlone for the craic. They showed up because everyone in County Roscommon - north, south, east and west - is sick to have even seen what has been proposed. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has it in his gift to scrap this ludicrous situation. Businesspeople in Monksland have been open about saying they do not and will not support this proposed change.

Who is pushing this agenda? I know that four parts of Ireland are being examined. However, this does not make any sense. Roscommon County Council has spent a great deal of money down through the years putting infrastructure in place. This is a trophy town and a fabulous example of what can be done in rural areas. It is a credit to the people who envisaged it down through the years. Will the Minister make a decision to scrap this proposal. It does not make sense. Anyone looking at it would scratch his or her head and ask what is going on here. Will the Minister call a halt to this proposal before this Government's term finishes? If a person is doing something that is not right, he or she can stop at any time. The Minister has it in his gift to call a halt to this proposal before the election.

He can say to forget about it and scrap it because it makes no sense. Furthermore, in fairness to Deputy Troy and the Westmeath side, they wrote a letter saying that it does not make any sense and they are not supporting it.

Boxer Moran has made it very clear. Many public representatives have also made it very clear that they do not support what is going on. Across the political divide in County Roscommon, everyone is standing shoulder to shoulder with the people. This cannot go ahead. There will be uproar. Can we cut to the chase? Can we forget about the toing and froing on 27 February, 30 March or whatever date this commission is to come back? I ask for the Minister to stand up and be counted and for once to cut what is going on, leave Roscommon to Roscommon and Westmeath to Westmeath and let everyone live happily.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Deputy. I endorse your Topical Issues matter and made a submission myself last week in this regard. I call the Minister of State, who has four minutes to reply.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the Deputy for tabling this matter. I listened to the radio the morning after the public meeting, and a figure of 1,500 people at a meeting shows it is causing grave concern. I am speaking today on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and will read his reply into the record for the purposes of laying out where the situation is at and who has responsibility in the matter. I am happy to update the House on the matter and clarify a few points on the Minister's behalf.

As Members are aware, the Minister, Deputy Kelly announced the establishment of statutory committees to review local government boundaries in Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford on 19 June last. In the case of Athlone, the committee has been asked to carry out a review of the boundary between Counties Westmeath and Roscommon and to make recommendations with respect to that boundary that it considers to be necessary in the interests of effective local government.

The main rationale for undertaking the review in Athlone is that the 2011 census shows there is a significant Athlone environs population in County Roscommon. The question that arises is the appropriate relationship between administrative jurisdictions and the current settlement and development position. Bringing an entire town within a single local authority area can eliminate or prevent any possible anomalies or distortions of divided administration, service provision, regulatory and enforcement responsibility and electoral representation that might arise. Potential problems can also be addressed, including differing policies and practices between authorities in respect of matters such as planning, rating and charges, which can impact negatively on town centres.

The Athlone boundary committee has been established under section 28 of the Local Government Act 1991 and, in accordance with subsection (3) of that section, it is independent in the performance of its functions. While it would be inappropriate, therefore, for me to comment on the substantive matter under examination, I would like to take the opportunity to address briefly some misconceptions that have been reported recently regarding this issue. First, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is not proposing that the boundary be changed; the task of examining and analysing the issue has been entrusted to the independent boundary committee and it is that group which will consider and report on the matter. At that stage, it will be open to the Minster of the day to suggest the alteration of a boundary by order, having regard to the boundary committee report. In this context, I would like to point out that the matter will not be decided finally by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, but by the Oireachtas. In accordance with the 1991 Act, a draft of any order made by the Minister providing for a boundary alteration must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order cannot be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House. This would normally follow a submission to Government.

Feedback thus far suggests that the revised structures and measures implemented by this Government are generally operating well and I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will look forward to studying the various reports, including on counties Westmeath and Roscommon, to assess whether further adjustments are required.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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We talk about joined-up thinking. For years, this has been a success. Roscommon has liaised with Westmeath in terms of both councils. They have worked perfectly together. Roscommon is well capable of looking after planning and doing whatever thinking has to be done. It needs to be left in Roscommon's care.

One thing that is mentioned in the reply is different services. The main medical centre for all of that area is in Monksland and it covers parts of south Roscommon. What is the Government going to do? Will it have people from south Roscommon going to Westmeath to get care, and leave out Ballinasloe or Roscommon town? This is the kind of thing that is going on.

At the end of the day, with all due respect to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, he can talk about independent bodies or whoever he wants. It is still stated clearly in his reply that while the review body will come back and give its decision, it is for a Minister to decide whether it goes ahead or not. Those are the simple facts. The legislation will come through the House but it is for a Minister to decide to bring it in. The current Minister has it in his gift to turn around and stall the whole thing. He would be very well placed to do that coming up to an election and he should do so.

This is not about politics. Across the political divide, there is one united front in Roscommon. Everyone is in full support of each other and all are saying this is a ludicrous measure and it must be stopped. I ask the Minister of State to bring the message back to the Minister, Deputy Kelly that in the next week or two, before the Taoiseach goes to Áras an Uachtaráin, he should call a stop to this.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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This discussion is going into the record of the House and will be landing on the desks it needs to land on. The message is loud and clear and is coming from the people, including a public meeting of 1,500. I have spoken in depth with the Acting Chairman, Deputy Feighan and he has explained the practical realities on the ground, which have to be reflected.

I reiterate and emphasise that, as of now, there are no proposed boundary changes. There is a fear of the report recommending the proposed changes and the Minister of the day having a decision to make to bring it to both Houses. However, at this stage, nothing is proposed. While the responsible people are independently evaluating the general geographical area, I am sure they are listening attentively to the public, and the loud voice coming from the House and from across the political divide in Roscommon.