Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing this Commencement matter to be taken today. I welcome the Minister of State to the House.

The situation for the people of County Roscommon is very grave and serious. A three-person commission, under the chairman, Jack Keyes, to review the boundaries of County Roscommon for the purposes of a possible amalgamation with County Westmeath. The commission is based in the civic offices in Mullingar. It may be an indication of a certain bias that the boundary review secretary is based on Mount Street.

A serious campaign has been established. Last week, 1,600 people attended a meeting in South Roscommon, chaired by Councillor Tony Ward and attended by other councillors, including Paddy Kilduff, John Naughten, John Keogh, Ivan Connaghton and Lawrence Fallon, who are the councillors elected for the south Roscommon area and the municipal area of Athlone, which is in Roscommon.

I compliment the Save Roscommon campaign for its work in opposing the proposals of the boundary commission and the councillors who are very much involved in the campaign, not only in South Roscommon but throughout the county of Roscommon. All 18 councillors are unanimous in their opposition to the proposal being made. It is important that the Government gets a clear message that the people of Roscommon will not permit the annexation of part of County Roscommon. It is important that all public representatives, especially those running in the general election, are unequivocal in their opposition to this land grab. The Fianna Fáil candidate, Councillor Eugene Murphy, has made his support for the Save Roscommon campaign quite clear.

What is the rationale for the boundary commission? Who initiated it? Why was it initiated? At whose request was it initiated? The panel consists of three not particularly wise men from the east; it does not even have the gender balance required for electoral purposes.

Can the Minister of State quantify the loss of income or potential income to Roscommon County Council of this proposal? Has she considered the additional investment required in Roscommon if the proposal goes ahead, such as building new area offices and all of the other requirements? The Connacht side of Athlone was annexed years ago, in the early part of the last century. If any amalgamation is to take place, the more logical step would be that the area of Athlone west of the River Shannon in Connacht, where the diocese of Elphin reaches the edge of the bridge in Athlone, would be a natural boundary with the new area of Monksland and would give it a stronger identity.

Whatever happens, we are where we are. We would be satisfied if we retained what we have. Monksland has been prioritised by Roscommon County Council for investment. In 1975 Don Panoz brought the Élan Corporation, now trading as Alkermes Pharma Ireland limited, to the area. In the 40 years since, a vast tract of land has been transformed and investment has taken place in industrial infrastructure, roads, paths and social housing in the south Roscommon area. There is also a primary care centre. The area has been developed for industry and has attracted Jazz Pharmaceuticals. It has ready access to the M50. County Roscommon is a gateway for jobs.

We are making this case and I know the Minister of State is acting for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, today. I propose that the boundary commission be disbanded and we develop our county as it is. In the 1920s, our country was divided into two areas, one comprising 26 counties and the other six counties. Can the Minister of State, who is from Cork, imagine how I, as somebody born and bred in County Roscommon, feel about the idea that a large portion of our county would be transferred to another county, thereby depriving the people of Roscommon of their identity?

It is a very serious situation. I appeal to the Minister of State and the Government to transfer the matter elsewhere. The decision will not be made until March, which is, of course, very convenient because the general election will be over.Whoever comes in to the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I am making the appeal in this House. I put it genuinely and seriously that the people of County Roscommon are united 100% in their opposition to the possible proposal to annex an area of County Roscommon into another county. I hope that the Minister of State will convey this message to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, and the Taoiseach. The message is: "Hands off Roscommon."