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Decision expected on boundary


Years of speculation about a proposed extension of Limerick City’s boundary into South-East Clare is expected to finally come to an end when the new Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, issues his decision on the controversial findings of an independent report.
Minister Hogan told a delegation of Clare County Council members and officials on Friday last that he planned to make a decision on this political hot potato before the Dáil summer recess early in July.
Clare Against the Boundary Extension (CABE) and other community groups have vigorously opposed plans to transfer over 3,000 people from Shannon Banks, Westbury and parts of Clonlara in to an expanded Limerick City.
This was one of the recommendations of the Limerick Local Government Report, chaired by Denis Brosnan. The report also proposed that Limerick City and County Councils be amalgamated to form one local authority with an estimated saving of €20 million.
Last week’s delegation was organised after Killaloe Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald, tabled a motion at a recent council meeting calling on the director of services to make contact with the Department of the Environment concerning its plans for any proposed boundary changes.
Councillors from the Killaloe Electoral Area and Shannon Electoral Area joined Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin; county manager, Tom Coughlan; Fine Gael deputies Joe Carey and Pat Breen and Labour Deputy, Michael McNamara at the meeting.
The Mayor of Clare claimed no justifiable case has been made as to why over 3,000 Clare people should be forced to become part of Limerick City.
Describing the extension as a “convenient desktop operation”, he pointed out that the council had already expressed its commitment to the area by drafting a clear strategic plan for the development of the entire University of Limerick campus as part of its County Development Plan.
Councillor Fitzgerald noted people in Shannon Banks and Westbury already shop in Limerick City and felt a boundary extension into Clare is totally unnecessary. He also claimed that Limerick County Council want to see the Brosnan Report implemented, while Limerick City Council is not giving up on its plans to extend into Clare.
Deputy McNamara said any boundary extension should only involve Limerick City and County Councils, without encroaching into Clare.
“Not an inch” was the cry from Councillor Joe Cooney, who warned a boundary extension would split parishes, families and local communities, while Councillor Cathal Crowe said it would not create any extra jobs in South-East Clare and would only bring in 14 new rateable premises for Limerick City Council, instead of going out to Raheen and Dooradoyle.
Minister Hogan has met with Denis Brosnan and the Mayor of Limerick Maria Byrne to discuss the contentious boundary issue.
He has also pledged to meet representatives of Limerick City and County Council to hear their views.

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