Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number and nature of service level agreements formally agreed and signed between Louth and Meath county councils arising from the recommendations of the 2016 report of the Drogheda boundary commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39188/18]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The report of the Drogheda Boundary Committee, published in February 2017, recommended that there be no change to the existing boundary, subject to a set of recommendations, including the creation of a unified vision for Drogheda, a joint area plan for the greater Drogheda area, a joint retail strategy and a joint initiative to improve community cohesion and identity being carried out.

However the two authorities involved, Louth and Meath, indicated concern with this approach, particularly in relation to the staffing and financial overheads required and the practicality of decision making where any recommendations would need to be approved separately by both Councils.

It is my intention, therefore, to address the issue of cross boundary cooperation through legislative provision and work on this is at an advanced stage in my Department.