Boundary alterations between Cork City Council and Cork County Council have the potential of major financial strain on Cork County, the Dáil has heard.
Speaking during Leaders Questions, Rural Independent TD Michael Collins called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to intervene in the boundary extension of Cork city.
Mr Collins said the people of Ballincollig, Blarney and west Cork were against being "forced into the city boundary" against their will.
He said despite a unanimous vote against the plan by Cork County Council, the extension of the city boundary was being "railroaded ahead".
The Independent TD also noted the non-attendance of the Tánaiste Simon Coveney, and Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin at a recent meeting of the council.
Mr Collins said this sent a message that they were "ignoring councils on the ground", favouring the boundary extension which "throws the whole of Cork county to the wolves".
The Taoiseach confirmed Government support of the proposed re-drawing of boundaries for Cork city and county, and said it was ambitious for "the Southern capital" and Ireland's "southern city".
Outlining plans for Cork city which he described as a University City, he said that by 2040 the Government wanted to see it grow by at least 50%.
Mr Varadkar added that it would be developed structurally, made part of the Atlantic corridor and developed as an industry hub with a developing airport and a rapidly expanding port.
He acknowledged that all changes and reforms are difficult, and while it may result in a loss of revenue from property tax and certain business rates, there would be a compensation package which he described as "necessary" to ensure the county area does not lose out.
