The Environment Minister has been accused of having a conflict of interest in the Clare Limerick Boundary issue and has been asked to step aside from the contentious matter.
Members of Clare County Council have called a special meeting later this week to prepare their submission for the review committee set up by Minister John Gormley to look at local government structures in Limerick City and the possibility of an extension into Clare.
A majority of Council members are still of the view that "not an inch" of Clare should be given to Limerick, but other members have said a more positive and comprehensive submission must be made to the committee.
Westbury Councillor Paschal Fitzgerald believes Minister Gormley has a vested interest in Limerick, having spent much of his youth in school there, and is therefore unable to make an impartial decision on the boundary.
However Ennis Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney has staunchly defended his party leader John Gormley.
Councillor Meaney says the Environment Minister will take an independent look at how best to develop Limerick, Clare and the Mid-West economy, which may include an extended Limerick city to compete with the developing Dublin Belfast Corridor.
And he says his Clare Council Colleagues need a more mature approach to the boundary issue
