John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I call for a debate on the proposed amalgamations the statutory committee to review local government boundaries is considering. It is proposed to merge Monksland in County Roscommon with Athlone and County Westmeath. As ratepayers in Monksland contribute significantly to Roscommon County Council, there would be a massive loss to Roscommon County Council's coffers if this was to happen. I know that Councillor Tony Ward and many others have made submissions to the statutory committee, but submissions always seem to fall on deaf ears. We have had experience of that with submissions on wind turbines and pylons in the past and this smells like it is a done deal.

In this particular case from a sporting perspective this could decimate two of County Roscommon's top clubs, St. Brigid's, former all-Ireland champions, and Clann na nGael. It is important to bring the Minister to the House to discuss with the elected Members the ramifications of any proposed changes to these boundaries.

We can look at the experience of this issue. Two areas from County Roscommon have amalgamated with Westmeath County Council and have been consistently neglected over the years. There are 45 closed shop units with no investment in the area. The fear is that something similar would happen here. If any proposal comes before us to merge Monksland with Westmeath between now and the general election, I will vote against it. If I get elected in the general election, I will vote against any statutory committee proposal that would decimate south County Roscommon, which I regard as nonsense.