Hogan told halt local boundary changes

Environment Minister Phil Hogan is to be urged to halt a number of changes to the new local election boundary areas because it is claimed they will disenfranchise many people living in Co Cork.

Standing orders were suspended at yesterday’s Cork County Council meeting after Cllr Donal O’Rourke (FF) called for an urgent debate on the boundaries, which come into force at next year’s local elections.

In particular, he expressed concern about the number of councillors representing West Cork being cut from 12 to eight.