Two northside city council seats move south

CORK city’s political landscape is to change significantly, with the northside set to lose two city council seats to the southside.

A committee established by Environment Minister John Gormley to examine local authority areas has recommended that the River Lee should act as the natural north-south boundary, as is the case with Dáil constituency boundaries.

The change will result in parts of Bishopstown, the Model Farm Road, Gilabbey Street and Mardyke areas, which were part of the five-seat north-west ward, being transferred to the south-west ward.

The north-west ward will lose a seat and the south-west ward will go from having five seats to six.

The five-seat north-east ward, where veteran PD Cllr Mairin Quill is retiring, will also drop a seat.

The south-east ward, which covers the sprawling suburb of Mahon, will increase from a six to a seven-seater.

Mahon-based Green Party Cllr Chris O’Leary said: “I believe this balances out the representation in a more fair and proportional way.”

But Fine Gael Cllr Joe O’Callaghan, who represents the north-west ward, said the changes would have huge implications for the northside of the city.

“Cork is imbalanced in terms of population and economic activity, and this report highlights the need for increased and targeted investment in this part of the city,” he said.

Mr Gormley established two committees to examine local authority boundaries.

The second committee recommended a number of changes to the Cork County Council electoral areas.

In the County Cork Northern Division, Kanturk is to lose a representative, going from a five to a four- seater, and Mallow will gain one, going from a four to a five-seater.

In the Southern Division, Carrigaline loses one of its seven seats, while Macroom will gain one to become a four-seater. There are no changes to seat numbers in the County Cork West Division which comprises the Bantry and Skibbereen electoral areas.

Mr Gormley said he had accepted both committees’ recommendations and would be publishing the necessary orders to give effect to them “as soon as possible”. The changes will take effect in time for next year’s local elections.

*Details available at electoralareacommittees.ie.

Main changes in Cork

CITY:

South-East goes from six to seven seats.

South-West goes from five to six seats.

North-East falls from five to four seats.

North-West also falls from five to four.

No change in North Central and South Central.

COUNTY:

Kanturk falls from five to four seats.

Mallow goes from four to five seats.

Carrigaline falls from seven to six seats.

Macroom goes from three to four seats.

No changes in Bantry and Skibbereen electoral areas.