Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends establishing a boundary committee under section 28 of the Local Government Act 1991 to prepare a report under section 33 of that Act on the proposal of Limerick City Council for a boundary extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7305/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The procedures currently governing boundary alterations are set out in Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and in the Local Government (Boundary Alteration) Regulations 1996. Under these provisions, it is open to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to establish an independent boundary committee to examine an application for a boundary alteration. Such a committee may make such recommendations as it considers necessary in the interests of effective and convenient local government. On receipt of a boundary committee report, the Minister may prepare a draft order altering the boundary. A draft ministerial order in this case 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.

I am considering the Limerick City Council application for a boundary extension, and will make my decision shortly 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.