When discussing this matter on the previous occasion, I was dealing with some important points raised by several Deputies on this matter, particularly in regard to the financial adjustments that have been made, and also the manner in which the terms of Article VI of the Order which set out the financial position was arrived at.
One further point raised by Deputy Burton was the matter of arbitration. On this matter of having an arbitrator called in to determine between the city and the county as to the proper financial adjustment to be arrived at, I would like to reiterate that my feeling is no different from what it was on a somewhat similar occasion when I said in the Seanad that in matters such as this the Minister for Local Government of the day is, in fact, the final arbitrator and is in a better position, to my mind, to act in such capacity than anybody else who might from time to time be called in. In arriving at a conclusion such as this, or any other matter where he has to act in that capacity, the Minister does so with the full knowledge of all the facts and with the knowledge also of his continuing responsibility for the matter generally that he has decided upon. In that way his decision must be fairly and justly based and, over all, there does not seem to me to be any justification for the added procedure mentioned by Deputy Burton.
Having said that, it is still true to say that it is for the Corporation and the County Council, if they in the course of their negotiations and discussions fail to reach agreement, to avail of some method of agreeing among themselves on an arbitrator to sit in judgment on the respective merits of their case. It is open to them to follow this course if they so wish in regard to the matter of the financial adjustments. There is nothing more I wish to say on that particular aspect of the matter at the moment.
Deputy Corry alleged that a lot of disparities existed in regard to the value of shops and houses in the area proposed to be added to the city compared with the valuation in the city itself. I have figures that would seem to a large degree to disprove the theory advanced by Deputy Corry. In so far as I am able to ascertain, about one half of the important properties in the city have been revalued in the past 20 years and many of the remaining properties are newly built and as a result have been valued recently. Further, I have evidence which came from the public inquiry that, of 5,647 properties of £12 valuation which were surveyed, 2,086 have been referred for revision of valuation in the past 20 years. I think also the suggestion that the larger commercial buildings are under-valued, in relation to the small commercial undertakings, has not to my mind been substantiated.
In conclusion, I should like to say that the extension of the boundary of Cork, while it would, by and large, appear to be a local or domestic matter as discussed in this House, nevertheless, it has a far greater and wider implication for the entire region of which Cork is the natural capital.
I think it is a good thing that centres such as Cork, it being our second largest city, should in the immediate years ahead be enabled, and, indeed, encouraged, to expand, at least proportionately with the projected expansion of Dublin and be, as it were, a counter-attraction to the build-up of population in Dublin. The extension of the boundary is one counter-attraction and, indeed, a balanced effect in the growth of Cork in the future must be really given effect to. Without a boundary extension it cannot grow as I believe it should and will grow. The extension of the boundary of Cork has been under consideration on several occasions since it was first fixed in 1840, which is now 125 years ago, and I believe it was a real issue in 1903 and 1912. Certainly, from 1840 to 1965 a lot of changes have taken place and that in itself would indicate a strong argument in favour of expansion which is generally accepted by all Cork people, or certainly the vast majority of them whether in the city or the county. The boundary should be extended and Cork should be encouraged by this extension to expand and improve as I believe it will. It will not only be the capital of the south and our second largest city but a true balancer in so far as a counter-attraction to the attractions of Dublin is concerned.
These are things which are generally appreciated by people not only in the city and county of Cork but in the whole southern region and I am sure by people further afield. We have had objections to the method and the terms of the Order which we are discussing here but, by and large, there is an acceptance of the absolute necessity for the future well-being of the country as a whole and that this boundary extension should, in fact, take place and that the Order should be confirmed.
