Tim Lucey believes a single Cork council is feasible
As a debate rages between those seeking an extension of the city boundary and those wishing to defend county council territory, Tim Lucey yesterday spoke, publicly, for the first time on the issue.
He discussed the possibility of a super authority after addressing a Cork Chamber breakfast briefing in the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig. The vastly experienced public servant — who formerly served as city manager — said single authority status had been achieved for both Limerick and Waterford and he did not envisage any major obstacle to the same concept with Cork.
It’s the first time he has expressed a personal view on what he believes should be the outcome of a Review Group’s deliberations on a boundary change.
Nevertheless, he said deliberations are continuing in his own boardroom and council chamber “prior to finalising the county council’s position on the matter”.
He said, in recent weeks, there had been comment in the media attributed to many senior people across the executive of the city council and elected council, and business people, all giving the view the city needs to have a population of 300,000.
“The fact is that informed commentary needs to understand how we work and plan growth for Cork, and the commentary to date, while being well-intentioned, needs to be better informed.”
He said Cork’s success was due to its well-planned strategies for infrastructure, transportation and land use, the skills of people in the city and county, its quality educational institutions and the high level of interaction between business, state agencies and education.
Mr Lucey said Cork had not been negatively impacted by a population within a defined city of 119,000.
“If it had, then it would not have had one of the highest levels of population growth in the country between 2006-2011. Neither would it have continued to attract significant new and expanded FDI [foreign direct investment] businesses,” Mr Lucey told the business community.
He said FDI didn’t flow in due to the population factor.
“It is, and will continue to be, how we package, brand and promote Cork, so that we ensure that those charged with bringing business are selling our message on that basis.”
Mr Lucey said that, fortunately, the Review Group’s terms of reference require it to come to an evidence-based conclusion and recommendations.
“Public commentary should therefore follow the same principles in this matter.”
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