Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated: 11:45 15/02/2017
PROPOSAL TO REDRAW the boundaries between Waterford and Kilkenny has drawn criticism in the Marble County.
“We don’t want our identity to be changed,” said Councillor Ger Frisby after Kilkenny County Council unanimously rejected a proposal to redraw the boundaries between the two counties.
The proposed change is contained in a report by the Waterford Boundary Review committee, which was published last week. It recommended a redrawing of the boundary where land from south Kilkenny would be transferred to Waterford, affecting approximately 4,500 people, to make it easier for local governments to be more effective in the area.
Frisby, who lives in the the area that would be affected by the boundary change, said the parish of Slieverue will effectively be split in two between Kilkenny and Waterford.
Speaking to theJournal.ie he said: “We completely object [to the boundary change], you are talking about a person’s county, a person’s parish”.
Frisby added “[it] is so divisive, people in the area are so proud of their identity and any change will leave a very bitter taste”.
Yesterday, Kilkenny County Council voted unanimously to give “not an inch” of Kilkenny land to Waterford and it is demanding a meeting with Minister Simon Coveney to discuss the matter.
However, former Mayor of Waterford Councillor John Cummins disagrees and has called on the boundary recommendations to be implemented.
Cummins said, “Using historic boundaries in modern day Ireland is not appropriate, cities in particular must be allowed to expand into what is their natural hinterland and for too long Waterford has been like a bird with one wing with only south side development in evidence.
The reality is Waterford City has to expand Northwards in the decade ahead as South side development land is limited and it is only natural therefore that this area is administered by Waterford City and County Council.
Cummins has called on the government to implement the recommendations of the report as a matter of urgency.
“This has the potential, along with the Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework which is focusing on the growth of regional cities to be game changer for Waterford and the entire southeast region.” said Cummins.
Waterford Boundary Review Committee
The committee that produced the boundary report was established under the previous government to review the administrative boundaries between the city and county of Waterford and County Kilkenny.
It is one of four such boundary reviews that are being carried out around the country.
The committee was asked to make recommendations on the boundary between Waterford and Kilkenny on what it considers to be necessary in the interests of what would be effective and convenient for local government.
Over the course of the review the committee received close to 20,000 submissions.
Most of the submissions were opposed to the boundary change, citing a sense of identity and belonging to County Kilkenny, as well as financial implications to Kilkenny due to loss of tax revenue.
However, the committee did receive submissions advocating for the changing of the boundary, with many of the respondents saying that Kilkenny County Council has never invested properly in the area and that residents would benefit from a closer proximity to a service provider.
Kilkenny County Council
After the vote yesterday, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Matt Doran wrote to Minister Coveney to convey the council’s dismay, anger and disappointment about the issue.
Frisby went on to say that the council will be engaging in the consultation process going forward for Ireland 2040, the new National Planning Framework, which is a national strategy for long-term planning and development across Ireland.
But Frisby feels that the 20,000 submissions from the public were not taken into account by the boundary review committee when making their recommendations.
However, the decision on the boundary change has not been made yet and it is yet to be considered by Minister Coveney.
A spokesman for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government said that “The Minister will consider the report and its implications very carefully in the context both of ongoing work in relation to the future of local government in Ireland and also the development of Ireland 2040, the new National Planning Framework over the coming months.
“We would encourage people in the counties included in the boundary reviews to use the Reports to take part in the consultation process on the Plan. This is an important opportunity for them to get their views across on the future of the country, their regions, their counties, their local areas and their communities.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Don’t see why it can’t be used as a step down unit. Plenty of patients in dublin hospitals who are at a stage of recovery that means they’re neither well enough to go home or sick enough for an acute bed. A short stay step down unit would free up acute beds and take the pressure off a&e departments.
Would make a decent Wetherspoons
Isn’t paying a UK estate agent to sell the building not enough (like there are no domestic estate agents); you want to turn it into a British pub too? Sure why don’t we just give up altogether and repatriate our whole economy over there?
or mad idea. the hse developes the site. they get their primary care facility and turn the rest into apartments. the rent of which will generate income for the primary care unit and free up some hse cash for other uses. why cant this be done.
The HSE is not in the business nor has any resources/experience in property development… It’s not as simple as just ‘knocking up some apartments on the site’
Some kind of public/private partnership would be required.
Once you start down that road you split the focus of the organization and its aims.
Properly managed it is quite straight forward, but I wouldn’t trust the HSE to have such foresight.
Properly managed requires them to hire good people to manage it and property developer salaries are in the millions.
The HSE doesn’t have the cash to pay enough nurses and Drs as it is, could you imagine it firing 50 nurses or cutting back on drugs and telling hospitals to do without to bring in someone to to manage its on the side property business…
Perhaps NAMA could be brought in to run that side of it in partnership with the HSE. They already have the expertise and either way the money generated ends up in the public purse.
Yes indeed let Nama sell it to their friends at a discount good thinking China man.
NAMA is a good suggestion… no need to fire anyone if NAMA provides the finance. Property developers per se don’t really need to be involved (as in a Johnny Rohan or the like )… a reputable contractor along with a small team of professionals should be well able to manage a development of its size.
property developers are just guys with money, you only need an architect and some builders to develop this building not Johnny Ronan.
Exactly what I said…
This would make an excellent respite facility if refurbished and staffed with competent caring individuals. Baggot is has loads of pubs and eateries it doesn’t need any more.
it make a great Hotel, the money from the sale could make a good purpose built unit which would have much lower running costs.
Brian you can spit and find accomodation near Baggot. I think our health service is in more need than our tourist industry!
The HSE didn’t exist in 1986. It would have been entrusted to the Eastern Health Board or some such entity.
Denis will buy it.
As some other posters have observed, it would make an excellent step down facility for those requiring convales cence; it could supply much needed accommodation for the homeless; it could supply much needed Student accommodation. (I won’t even dare mention refugees!). I am sure that many posters could posit more good uses. However, it is apparently much better to sell the building, at a knock down price no doubt, to a foreign multi-billionaire, or a hedge fund stuffed with the same people. After all, must keep up the agreed sale of assets, which had slowed down a bit, but no doubt will get right back on course.
memories
Same here Eleanor . I commenced my training there in 1969 and then after qualifying worked in the ICU , Coronary Care and Thoracic Units . It was a really good place to work and a great hospital
That used to be a district court also
No, you’re thinking of the Richmond Hospital.
No it never was !
Your right yea sorry spot on
I didn’t recognise it!!!
No matter what everyone thinks, it does need refurbishment and would probably make a great hotel .
Turn it into Student accommodation. It’s between UCD and Trinity.
Why can I not post comments on the more political articles on here today?
Behind the beautiful facade, the building is falling down. Needs knocking. It’s a safety issue. Too costly for any health care facility. Hotel best option
Will be turned into luxury apartments costing €500,000 for a one bed flat!
Become a weatherspoons or Greggs
have your say