An Taisce is calling for Limerick City’s boundary to be extended into Clare and that the three county councils Clare Limerick and Tipperary are replaced with a unified regional authority.
In its submission to the boundary commission the Limerick Branch of the organisation argues that replacing the three existing “hinterland local authorities with a single authority would lead to cost savings.
According to An Taisce "a unified hinterland authority of Clare Limerick and Tipperary combined with an expanding city would have the benefit of replacing four authorities with two and place the hinterland on a more equal footing with the city".
The heritage organisation believes that the calls by Limerick County Council for a unified authority for the city and county would weaken the focus of whatever new body is set up.
Clare County Council said in its submission that there is no justification for a boundary extension into the county here but An Taisce proposes the boundary should be extended to encompass all of the contiguous suburban areas including Caherdavin and Parteen in Co Clare.
It also believes it should be done in a way as not to require substantial revisiting for generations.
Today is the deadline for making submissions to the boundary committee which was set up by the Environment Minister John Gormley to look at local government structures in Limerick City with a view to boosting its economic fortunes and in turn – drive the economic fortunes of the mid west
