Review of controversial merger plan for Cork city and county councils

Minister for Local Government Simon Coveney has announced a review of the controversial merger plan for Cork city and county councils in a bid to find a compromise.

Mr Coveney confirmed that the process, which he hopes will start in September, will include a re-examination, by a new panel of experts, of the complex issues considered last year by the Cork Local Government Review (CLGR) committee.

The five-person group, chaired by business consultant Alf Smiddy, was split three-to-two in favour of a merger. The decision triggered a judicial review by Cork City Council.