Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to comment on the legislation passed by the Houses last week on the new arrangements regarding local government in the city and county of Cork. The Act has been signed into law. On 4 June 2019, the boundaries of Cork City Council will be extended to cover a major portion of the county's population, perhaps as many as 80,000 people. The city council will assume responsibility for a large area around the city, including Ballincollig, Blarney, Grange, Frankfield and Rochestown. The debate on the legislation has been had. We must now move on to ensuring Cork county can develop and flourish. Many of the county's major regional towns such as Clonakilty, Bandon, Kinsale, Macroom and Mallow are dependent on agriculture and rural enterprise. There has to be a new focus on how Cork County Council is run and funded through the national Exchequer. That refocusing has to take account of the major rate base that has been taken from the county council. Cork Airport business park, EMC in Ballincollig and other employers have been brought under the city's jurisdiction. We need to put a fund in place to ensure the county can flourish and develop.

As the Cathaoirleach is very much aware, towns in County Cork are unfortunately under pressure, as are all rural towns in many ways. They were used to having the cushion of a fund comprising rates paid by businesses around the city. That is now gone. An economic development fund needs to be put in place to ensure that these towns, particularly their town centres, can develop. We have seen many shops close in many of these rural towns in the past six weeks. It is a very tough time of the year for business. We need a new focus on how we will redevelop these towns.

I propose that the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, come to this Chamber to discuss his plan for re-energising and redeveloping towns. He should take into consideration the real structural changes that have happened in County Cork. If we do that, we can drive economic development to ensure these towns develop. I will be seriously concerned if we do not put a plan in place because without the rates base previously available to the county council, these towns will unfortunately not develop as they should.