City Council vote to take legal action against government over merger plans

The Taoiseach will today receive correspondence regarding the outcome of last night's midnight meeting.

The Taoiseach will this morning receive correspondence regarding the outcome of last night's midnight meeting at City Hall where councillors voted unanimously to support a historic legal challenge to the planned merger of city and council councils.

The meeting was held in response to the Environment Minister's backing of the Cork Local Government Review Group's recommendation to amalgamate both councils.

Last night Chief Executive Ann Doherty was directed to initiate legal proceedings against the government and effectively seek an injunction to block the Minister pressing ahead with the merger. 

It follows comments by Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey who yesterday warned of the threats to foreign investment of blocking the merger.

Speaking to RedFM News Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O'Leary says it's not just about preventing a merger Leeside it's about challenging the constitutionality of government policy in the area of local authority mergers:

More from Cork