Clare boundary plunder not the solution to ills of the Mid-West
Minister Killeen’s silence unhelpful
Carey writes to political representatives seeking consensus on boundary issue.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has said today that the solution to the economic recovery of the Mid-West does not lie in plundering the boundary of County Clare.
He made his comments today as suggestions were made to incorporate areas of County Clare – Westbury, Shannon Banks and parts of the UL campus – into Limerick.
Deputy Carey said that this suggestion is deflecting attention away from the real needs of the region and will do little to restore economic activity and jobs in the region.
Minister Killeen’s silence unhelpful
Carey writes to political representatives seeking consensus on boundary issue.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has said today that the solution to the economic recovery of the Mid-West does not lie in plundering the boundary of County Clare.
He made his comments today as suggestions were made to incorporate areas of County Clare – Westbury, Shannon Banks and parts of the UL campus – into Limerick.
Deputy Carey said that this suggestion is deflecting attention away from the real needs of the region and will do little to restore economic activity and jobs in the region.
He has criticised Clare Cabinet Minister Tony Killeen for his silence on the issue and said that all political representatives in County Clare have a duty to oppose this proposal.
Deputy Carey said:
“The arguments being put forward to justify an extension of the Limerick boundary into County Clare are without foundation. I personally cannot understand how a land grab from Clare is going to help Limerick address the various problems it has.”
We certainly need a strong vibrant Limerick City at the core of the Mid West Region but that is not going to be achieved by extending a boundary into County Clare. Neither are we going to increase population in the region by extending this boundary.
“The boundary issue is diverting attention from the real issues of this region . The Limerick regeneration project has been put on the long finger for years, and during times of economic prosperity, Limerick was badly let down.
“Now the suggested solution to the issues facing Limerick city is to plunder County Clare. I cannot see the added benefit of this.
We should be selling the Mid-West as a region as opposed to individual counties. The cultural and historic boundaries of each individual county should be respected.
In a way, this debate shows how much government agencies on the ground have taken their eye off the ball. Also, we have the Mid-West Taskforce report gathering dust with no sign of its implementation. These are the real issues facing the region.