David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Section 10 deals with the boundaries of the new local government areas of Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. I would like to revisit our earlier discussion on the natural expansion of Waterford city. Does the Minister agree with the strong case that has been made consistently by Waterford City Council for the natural extension of Waterford city into parts of the south Kilkenny area? Why was that not considered as part of the new boundary changes? Would it not be in the best interests of the people who live in some of those areas if they were to come under the new metropolitan district of Waterford? Notwithstanding one's allegiance to one's county colours, I think it would have been a positive move and an act of good faith on the part of the Minister in relation to Waterford city. I wonder why that was not considered in the context of the fundamental reforms we are seeing, such as the establishment of the new metropolitan district, the implementation of boundary changes and the amalgamation of the councils. Why was this issue not addressed? Waterford City Council made an application for a boundary change a number of years ago.