Merger of Cork councils would be ‘hugely damaging’, warn top developers

Two of the country’s leading developers have warned that a merger of Cork city and county councils could cost jobs and investment and be “hugely damaging” for the future of the city.

Owen O’Callaghan of O’Callaghan Properties, and John Cleary of JCD, issued the stark warning as the Cork Local Government Review (CLGR) group, reviewing the case for a council merger or the first extension of the city boundary in 50 years, prepares to report to Government next month.

Although neither of the men made a submission to the CLGR group, they issued a joint statement last night saying: “In our view, the amalgamation of both local authorities will make it more difficult to access decisions and services quickly and to deliver major projects.