Simon Coveney appoints expert group on Cork local government

Minister for Local Government Simon Coveney has called for “fresh thinking” after appointing an expert group to re-examine the future of local government arrangements in Cork.

One year on from the Smiddy group’s controversial Cork council merger plan to create a super-council, Mr Coveney said he now hopes to move the process forward.

The new advisory group will be chaired by Jim Mackinnon, the former chief planner of the Scottish government, and will include John O’Connor, former chairman of An Bórd Pleanála, and current chairman of Eirgrid; Gillian Keating, former president and board member of Cork Chamber; and Paul Martin, the chief executive and director of administration at Wandsworth Council in London