The Government has decided to push forward with plans of merging Galway City and County Councils into one no later than 2021.
The decision followed a report presented to cabinet last week by Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan.
The report endorses the recommendations of the Galway Expert Advisory Group for the amalgamation of Galway City and County Councils.
It recommends that the scheduled local elections in 2019 should be held for both councils as planned, but the merging should happen no later than 2021.
On the date of amalgamation, officials elected in the 2019 elections should combine to form the unified authority.
On the report, Minister Phelan said:
“This is the first step towards establishing a new unified Galway authority, which will maximise the potential of the region to maintain, secure and grow a sustainable economic base into the future.
“A unified council will provide a geographically balanced and integrated approach to economic development throughout Galway and further boost its vibrant cultural and artistic milieu.”
