David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, has published his proposals for local government reform and call for a debate on the matter. I hope that we will have a constructive and informed debate. I accept that in order to do that we will need time to study his proposals.

The Leader will be aware that there is a lot of concern in Waterford about the merger of Waterford city and county councils. Why is Waterford being singled out for such treatment? There is a perception in Waterford - I do not know whether it is just a perception or a reality - that its councils are being singled out. The city must compete on an uneven playing field. For example, the city does not have a university and there is high unemployment that is way above the national average. It will be difficult if Waterford city ends up without its autonomy and local authority. Galway, Cork or Dublin have not been treated in the same manner.

There is real concern this will have a negative impact and stunt the growth of Waterford city. I will study the detail of what has been published. Both Waterford city council and county council are very much opposed at political level to a forced amalgamation. The city has different needs from the county that require different responses to issues which are unique to different parts of the city. Aside from history and heritage, which is important, the economic reality is that Waterford city needs to be the key engine and the economic driver of the south-east region. Without being autonomous and having its own local authority, it could make the job all the more difficult.

I welcome the publication of proposals by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. I have concerns about the proposed merger. I hope the Leader will provide time in this House in the course of the next few weeks to have a more informed and constructive debate on all of the proposals published by the Minister.