Expert criticises report on merging councils

An international expert in public service reform has backed a shelved statutory report which calls for a major extension of Cork City’s boundary.

Tony Bovaird, director of independent think-tank Governance International, said the so-called minority report’s proposals are much better substantiated by its arguments as opposed to the controversial majority report published by the government-appointed Cork Local Government Review (CLGR) committee last year which recommended a merger of the city and county councils.

His detailed, unpublished review, which has been obtained by the Irish Examiner, is the first international and independent assessment of the September 2015 merger report which split the five-person CLGR group, sparked a political storm, and triggered an unprecedented legal challenge by City Hall.