Labour’s Cork council merger rift deepens

A rift is threatening to engulf the Labour Party over the proposed merger of Cork’s city and county councils with two party ministers divided on the issue.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly defended the plan last night, claiming a unified authority would strengthen local governance, improve services and save money.

Rejecting criticism from the opposition and a bitter row in Cork over the issue, he told the Dáil he would shortly bring proposals for the merger to Government.