Minister remains quiet on county’s offer to cede land

Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy has remained tight-lipped on a surprise offer from Cork County Council to cede land to the city.

The county’s proposal emerged in the wake of a report recommending the first extension of Cork’s City boundary in more than 50 years. It is set to be discussed by city councillors at a special meeting on Monday.

The Mackinnon report calls for the retention of Cork’s two local authorities in tandem with a significant expansion of the city boundary to include areas such as Cork Airport, Douglas, Grange, Frankfield, Rochestown, Ballincollig to the west; Tower, Blarney, Monard, and Rathpeacon to the north; and Glanmire, Little Island, and Carrigtwohill to the east. If sanctioned, the extension would increase the city’s population by 100,000 to 225,000.