(1888PressRelease)
September 20, 2007 - John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (19 September 07) announced he is to establish a boundary committee to examine an extension of Limerick City Council's boundary. Minister Gormley intends to give effect to Mr John Fitzgerald’s Report, as adopted by Government in April, which recommended, inter alia, a limited extension of Limerick City Council’s boundary in the northern part of the city to facilitate intensive development and regeneration,
The Minister has appointed, with the agreement of Government,
- Mr Seamus Dooley, former Wexford Co. Manager as Chairperson;
- Mr Donal Connolly former Waterford Co Manager and current Chairperson of the Fire Services Council; and
- Ms Mary Tully, Principal Officer, in his Department
-
as members of the Boundary Committee.The committee will be established under Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and its remit will be to review the boundary alteration recommended by Mr John Fitzgerald, to consult locally and to report to the Minister as early as possible during Autumn 2007.
This follows on from the establishment and resourcing of 2 Regeneration Agencies for each of the Northside and Southside areas of the city to lead the development of comprehensive measures to address issues of social exclusion and disadvantage in the Moyross and Southill areas of Limerick City and to drive forward the regeneration of these areas.
"To retain the momentum in implementing the recommendations of Mr Fitzgerald’s report, I intend to achieve the recommended boundary alteration as soon as possible", said the Minister.
This will involve the transfer to Limerick City Council of territory currently within the boundary of Limerick County Council, specifically the Limerick North Rural Electoral Division, which includes the suburb of Caherdavin, the Moyross estate and outlying agricultural land, with a total area of 1,429 hectares and a population of 7,248.
"I understand that informal indications from Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council suggest that the recommended extension should not attract significant local political opposition, given the extent of the social challenges that exist in Moyross, the necessity that they be addressed rapidly, and the wide acceptance of the Fitzgerald Report", said Minister Gormley.
A boundary committee would be required to publish a notice, inviting submissions from any person concerned, and stating that a report is being prepared in relation to Limerick City Council's boundary. The committee would also be required to consult with the relevant local authorities, Ministers of the Government, the Mid-West Regional Authority and the Commissioner of Valuation, and to have regard to submissions and consultation. The relevant regulations provide that the period in which submissions may be made is 1 month. A boundary committee would also have discretion to hold oral hearings.
The need to extend the City boundary was an integral part of Mr Fitzgerald's report and is part of the need to provide an avenue to regenerate the Moyross and Southill areas in Limerick,” said Minister Gormley. “As someone who grew up in Limerick, I am very pleased to be in a position to further build, impetus for the regeneration process by establishing a boundary commission."
"I am satisfied that the establishment of a boundary committee is the best mechanism for giving effect to Mr Fitzgerald's recommendation, and thereby facilitating the intensive development and regeneration of Moyross area, with attendant benefits for the city as a whole", added Minister Gormley.
It is anticipated that the boundary committee will report to the Minister with recommendations within a period of approximately 2 months and that the recommended boundary extension can be achieved shortly thereafter. Following receipt of the boundary committee's report, the approval of each House of the Oireachtas would be required to the draft Ministerial order to finalise a boundary alteration.
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