Boundary no longer an issue for Clare

CONTROVERSIAL plans for the transfer of 3,000 residents in South-East Clare into an expanded Limerick City look set to be scrapped by Environment Minister Phil Hogan, it emerged this week.

While no final decision has been made concerning the proposed boundary extension of Limerick City, speculation is rife that Clare will be excluded from the new local government arrangements proposed by Minister Hogan when this political hot potato comes before Cabinet next week.
A Department of Environment spokesman confirmed the boundary extension proposal was due to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday but had to be deferred until next week due to the funeral of former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.
The spokesman declined to comment about reports that Clare has been excluded from the new local authority governance for Limerick City and County. He said this issue would have to be discussed and decided by Cabinet.
According to a well-placed political source, all indications in recent days suggest Minister Hogan will implement most of the recommendations of the Limerick Local Government Report, apart from the proposed transfer of sections of Westbury, Shannon Banks and parts of Clonlara into the city.
Instead, it is expected Minister Hogan will bring a memo to Cabinet proposing a merger of Limerick City and County Councils to form a new single local authority, which would only come into operation after the next local elections in 2014.
If current indications are confirmed, an interim group including officials and councillors from Limerick City and County Councils would be established to put the necessary arrangements in place for the new authority.
Deputy Joe Carey said as far as he was aware, no decision has been made on the boundary issue and pledged to continue voicing his opposition to any extension into Clare until this proposal is taken off the table.
Killaloe Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said he was heartened by reports that Clare will not be part of the extension.
He said it would be a great day for the county if the proposed boundary extension into Clare is rejected and hoped this would finally bring to an end the need for campaigning by groups such as Clare Against the Boundary Extension (CABE).
The Labour councillor stressed once a decision is made, county councillors could concentrate on dealing with other serious issues in South-East Clare such as fast-tracking the public taking in charge of the Westbury Housing Estate.
He pointed out that Clare County Council had already demonstrated that there was no justification for any change in the status quo.
The only real uncertainty surrounding Clare involves a substantial land bank owned by the University of Limerick on its Clare campus. There have been conflicting reports that Minister Hogan may extend the boundary in the townland of Gillogue to allow all of the land owned by the university to become part of Limerick City for planning and administrative purposes.
Deputy Pat Breen said he would welcome a speedy decision in relation to this issue.