Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Extension of Limerick Borough Boundary.

Willie O'Dea

Question:

236 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received representations to extend the Limerick city borough boundary to include Purteen, County Clare; if his attention has been drawn to the objections which the residents of Purteen have in respect of this proposal; the intentions, if any, he has in this regard; and when he proposes to make a decision on the matter. [25267/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The legal framework for local authority boundary alterations, as set out in Part V of the Local Government Act, 1991 and the associated regulations, enables all the issues in relation to such a boundary alteration to be thoroughly considered by the local authorities involved in the first instance. It includes provision for public advertisement and consultation with the other local authorities concerned which enables submissions to be made to the promoting local authority by members of the public and by those other authorities. Such submissions must be considered by the promoting local authority in deciding whether to make an application.

Under the Act, an application for a boundary alteration cannot be made to the Minister for the Environment until this local process is completed. The process is still under way in the case of the Limerick city boundary and, therefore, I have no role in the matter at this stage. The Act also includes provision which would allow for the establishment of an independent committee to report and make recommendations following receipt of such an application. Given this legal framework, it would clearly be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this point.