Decision on boundary extension expected in new year

A DECISION on the controversial boundary extension of Limerick City is not expected to take place before the end of the year.
Responding to questions from The Clare Champion, a Department of Environment spokesman confirmed the proposal still haS not gone to Government and couldn’t say if a decision would be made before Christmas.
The spokesman explained the proposal is in the queue behind a series of financial measures required to put the country’s national finances in order.
Passing the plan requires the drafting of national legislation, which has to be approved by the Cabinet, while the boundary extension requires a ministerial order.
Opposition to the boundary extension has been expressed by public representatives and Clare Against the Boundary Extension (CABE), which organised a protest march attended by an estimated 2,000 people last October.
CABE has requested a meeting to discuss its concerns with Environment Minister John Gormley and has made representations to Clare and Limerick Oireachtas members, including Defence Minister Tony Killeen and Deputy Timmy Dooley.
Apart from an acknowledgement letter from Minister Gormley’s secretary, CABE chairman Jim Gully confirmed no response to a recent letter issued by the group has been received or any confirmed date for a meeting between the two parties.
He said the group was previously told a decision would be made on the boundary issue before the end of October.
“Group members feel let down by the minister. We feel we should be part of the decision-making process and we shouldn’t be ignored. If a decision is being made in January, we believe we are entitled to a meeting with the minister before this.
“CABE isn’t just some lobby group that came out of nowhere. The group was elected at a public meeting 14 years ago and we have remained active since then,” he said.
He recalled during a recent conversation with Limerick City Mayor, Councillor Maria Byrne, that Clare people have supported businesses in the city and would continue to do so in the future. However, he reiterated that a boundary extension into Clare is totally unwarranted and unnecessary and noted Councillor Byrne supported the group’s stance in relation to Clare.
Although Councillor Byrne agreed to arrange a meeting with the group, she still hasn’t confirmed a date.
In a recent interview with the University of Limerick (UL) newspaper, Minister Gormley pledged the Brosnan Report would be brought before the Cabinet before the end of the current Dáil.
“I have every confidence in Mr Brosnan and I hope we can implement this report. There are different views within the Government. It is quite controversial,” he stated.
Limerick East Labour Deputy Jan O’Sullivan recently accused Minister Gormley of being “all over the place” when it comes to the Limerick boundary issue.
She alleged he was under pressure from officials in his department who want to reduce the number of local authorities and use Limerick as a test case.