‘NOT AN INCH’. No, not the often quoted words of Rev. Ian Paisley, but rather members of Clare County Council to Government proposals to allow Limerick City Council to encroach into part of county Clare.
At a special meeting of Clare County Council this week, Cllr Cathal Crowe told colleagues that he had no faith in Limerick City Council to administer any part of his native Clare.
He claimed that Limerick only saw the dollar signs by extending their boundary to such places as Raheen and Dooradoyle.
Cllr Crowe described Limerick City Council as pathetic and going nowhere.
“They should not be allowed to take an inch”.
He won the support of Independent councillor James Breen, and Fine Gael’s Joe Arkins, alleged that Limerick City Council had ghettoised social housing in Limerick.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail’s PJ Kelly said Limerick’s pushing for a boundary extension was because of the financial misadventure and failure of Limerick City Council.
The Green’s Brian Meaney failed to weigh in behind those opposed to the plan, arguing that the region needed a strong midwest and a vibrant Limerick, if it was to prosper.
Another meeting has been arranged for this Thursday to discuss the issue further.
A Limerick Local Government Committee was set up by Minister John Gormley earlier this year to make recommendations on what he referred to as the most appropriate local government arrangements for Limerick.
