Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I understand Senator Dooley's concern in raising this important issue for Limerick city, County Limerick and Clare County Council. Under the provisions of Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and the associated regulations a local authority may initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. A formal boundary alteration proposal by an authority must identify financial, organisational and other implications. It also involves the invitation of public submissions and consultation with the other local authorities affected by the proposal, prior to submitting a formal application to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, received an application from Limerick City Council for a boundary extension in November 2005, which was made in accordance with Part V of the 1991 Act. The application affects Clare and Limerick County Council areas and, if implemented, would have significant financial and organisational implications for all of the affected authorities. Prior to making its application, Limerick City Council invited submissions from Limerick and Clare County Councils and also from the public. Each county council made a formal statement of response detailing the financial, administrative and other implications that the council wished to raise. In their statements of response, both county councils objected to Limerick City Council's proposal on numerous grounds.

The Minister is currently considering the extensive and detailed assessment of the issues engaged in by the city council in developing its application. The Minister is also considering the analysis and perspectives of each of the county councils as set out in their respective statements of response. As the matter remains under consideration it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the application. However, I am in a position to briefly outline the Minister's options.

It is open to the Minister to establish an independent boundary committee to examine the proposal and such a committee may make such recommendations as it considers necessary in the interests of effective and convenient local government. Any draft ministerial order following receipt of a report from a boundary committee would require a positive resolution by each House of the Oireachtas before coming into force. Alternatively, the Minister may regard the establishment of a boundary committee as inappropriate in the circumstances and may follow other courses of action in the interests of effective and appropriate local government.

The Minister's decision will be made with the objective of supporting the local government system in the provision of modern, effective and relevant governance as a driver for the sustainable development of the Limerick-Shannon gateway area. I assure the House that the Minister is aware of the strength of local identity and the attachment many people in the areas concerned have to their historic boundaries. This attachment is shared by many of their elected representatives and is among the issues providing context for the Minister's deliberations. I understand the Minister intends to make his decision shortly.