Simon Coveney defends shelved report on Cork council merger

The minister for local government has defended the shelved €160,000 Cork council merger report which is set for an independent review.

Simon Coveney insisted that the Cork Local Government Review (CLGR), published a year ago last Thursday, wasn’t a “total failure” despite its merger recommendation splitting the review group, triggering a judicial review, sparking controversy and being shelved.

He said it has “started a conversation” about the future of the region’s local government structures which is essential if the greater Cork region is to develop as a counterbalance to the capital.