Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 17, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:“(c) the arrangements that should be made by the Cork local authorities for subsequent reviews of the Cork boundary alteration taking account of development and proposed development in the administrative area of the county council;”.

I said earlier to the Minister for State that this is a very important Bill, particularly for the people of Cork and Galway. I understand why the Leader of the House is speaking about his area in Cork. It is very important to the people of Cork. For that reason, and under the guidance of my own Green Party colleagues in Cork, I have brought forward this amendment to strengthen the Bill. It is a small thing and is quite simple, namely, to have a review in place in the legislation in order that we are not waiting another 60 years for a review. I said to the Minister of State last night that one concern of which I have been made aware by my colleagues in Cork is that there may be a doughnut effect whereby everything will move out to the boundary area. As we said last night, really interesting developments are happening in Cork down on the riverside, as well as foreign direct investment, FDI, etc.There is a problem with residential accommodation, however. What is going to happen now? The infrastructure and the industry is growing in the centre and the residents are being forced out on to the boundary. What will be the result of this, except congestion?There will be lots of problems managing the whole area. There is a problem there, and I am putting forward this review mechanism for that reason. This would put the review in the legislation. I absolutely want this to happen and to be effective. What is being proposed here is really good and it is really progressing well. This is intended to strengthen the legislation to enable the people of Cork to have a review mechanism if necessary. It is so broad. It is only the word "review". The Government can outline the terms. The last thing we want is for it to happen, because it is all going so beautifully. It is there in case of events. It is a caveat. Without it, the Minister of State may find himself in a situation in a few years where his hands are tied. He can put in a very simple mechanism that would enable a review to take place.

I have said to the Minister of State that I have not had the privilege of being a councillor. I have had the privilege of having been voted for by councillors. It is in my interest to support the councillors and people of Cork in this regard. As the Minister of State said, the Government is giving the people of Cork the security of this great development. That is what we in Waterford desire. We want security for our own development around the North Quays. Such security exists in this instance. What the Minister of State is proposing with the alteration of the boundary is very positive. This amendment would provide that caveat to support a review in the event of it being necessary.