Minister to make decision on possible council merger next year
GBFM NewsGalway Bay FM News Desk
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A final decision on whether or not to merge Galway City and County Council will be made in mid-2017.
There’s been a mixed reaction today to the potential merging of Galway City and County Council into a new ‘Greater Galway Authority’.
It follows the publication of a long-awaited report on local government arrangements in Galway which recommends the unification of both local authorities.
The Galway Local Government Committee was established by then-Minister Alan Kelly in January 2015.
It was tasked with carrying out a review of local government arrangements in Galway City and County and to make recommendations for improvements.
The review examined the possible impacts of three scenarios – no change, an extension of the city boundary, or a total merger of the two local authorities.
It has recommended that the councils be merged.
Speaking to Keith Finnegan, Galway West/South Mayo TD Noel Grealish says Minister Coveney will engage in discussions on the matter before he makes his final call.