Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss what I believe to be a critical issue, not just for County Clare, but in its principle to many counties bordering expanding towns and cities. It would be welcome if the Government set about developing guidelines to ensure that some towns or counties do not get the wrong impression regarding what is acceptable.

This issue relates to the application to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by Limerick City Council with a view to expanding into the territory of County Clare. The Minister of State is aware that one's county is an integral part of one's identity and sense of community. Any attempt to change a county boundary, taking people from one county to another, can have a profound impact on the lives and sense of identity and belonging to a particular area. I hope the Minister of State will give due consideration to this.

The matter I am raising is a real concern in County Clare, particularly in south-east Clare, as it is the area under consideration, threat or attack, depending on one's view. I do not wish to overly dramatise this matter, but there is a threat to the identity of the people in this area. The area I come from and live in is not directly included in this application, but I feel for the people in the area affected. If it were to affect me, I would feel very aggrieved. I am making this strong demand of the Minister of State and his officials on behalf of the people affected by this matter.

I strongly object to Limerick City Council's intention to even consider County Clare as a suitable location in which to expand. The matter should get due consideration from the Minister of State given the importance of retaining the integrity of county boundaries for administrative reasons. From the perspective of the Electoral Commission, there is a clear policy in the protocols associated with boundary committees when they deal with constituencies, and an effort is made to protect existing boundaries. Surely Limerick city should look to its own county first to satisfy its expansion needs. I am not suggesting that the city should not look to expand to cater for the growth in its structure. I will not suggest how it goes about this process, but I contend it should look to its own county first.

There is a territorial issue among the people of County Clare. While south-east Clare is the area under threat, many people throughout the county believe, from a territorial perspective, that Limerick city should take its eyes off the banner county and leave it as it is.

County Clare is unique in terms of its existing boundary, because only a small section of the county is connected by land, along the border with County Galway. The county is very much an island, bound on the east by the River Shannon, on its southern shore by the Shannon Estuary and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean up to Galway Bay. Limerick city proposes to bridge the river to gain territory in County Clare. It is not acceptable for the reasons I have outlined and I hope the Department, while giving consideration to the proposal from Limerick city, will rule in favour of the desire of the vast majority of people in the affected area and throughout County Clare.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand Senator Dooley's concern in raising this important issue for Limerick city, County Limerick and Clare County Council. Under the provisions of Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and the associated regulations a local authority may initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. A formal boundary alteration proposal by an authority must identify financial, organisational and other implications. It also involves the invitation of public submissions and consultation with the other local authorities affected by the proposal, prior to submitting a formal application to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, received an application from Limerick City Council for a boundary extension in November 2005, which was made in accordance with Part V of the 1991 Act. The application affects Clare and Limerick County Council areas and, if implemented, would have significant financial and organisational implications for all of the affected authorities. Prior to making its application, Limerick City Council invited submissions from Limerick and Clare County Councils and also from the public. Each county council made a formal statement of response detailing the financial, administrative and other implications that the council wished to raise. In their statements of response, both county councils objected to Limerick City Council's proposal on numerous grounds.

The Minister is currently considering the extensive and detailed assessment of the issues engaged in by the city council in developing its application. The Minister is also considering the analysis and perspectives of each of the county councils as set out in their respective statements of response. As the matter remains under consideration it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the application. However, I am in a position to briefly outline the Minister's options.

It is open to the Minister to establish an independent boundary committee to examine the proposal and such a committee may make such recommendations as it considers necessary in the interests of effective and convenient local government. Any draft ministerial order following receipt of a report from a boundary committee would require a positive resolution by each House of the Oireachtas before coming into force. Alternatively, the Minister may regard the establishment of a boundary committee as inappropriate in the circumstances and may follow other courses of action in the interests of effective and appropriate local government.

The Minister's decision will be made with the objective of supporting the local government system in the provision of modern, effective and relevant governance as a driver for the sustainable development of the Limerick-Shannon gateway area. I assure the House that the Minister is aware of the strength of local identity and the attachment many people in the areas concerned have to their historic boundaries. This attachment is shared by many of their elected representatives and is among the issues providing context for the Minister's deliberations. I understand the Minister intends to make his decision shortly.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response and take heart from his statement that the Minister recognises the strength of local identity and the attachment many people in the area have to their historic boundaries, and that this attachment is shared by many elected representatives and will be among the issues providing the context for his decision. If, however, the decision of the boundary committee is to encroach on County Clare then, if it comes before this House and if I am fortunate enough to be a Member of this House at the time, I will not support it under any circumstances.

Members of Clare County Council have come out very strongly in favour of the retention of the boundary as it is, as has Ennis Town Council. I compliment the work of the members and officials of the local authority in putting up an effective defence against a predatory approach by what was once a friendly neighbour. I hope it will be so again when this issue is resolved, whether it be with the help of Solomon or someone else.