Senator Alison Comyn has made a passionate appeal in the Seanad for Drogheda to be officially recognised as Ireland’s next city, warning that the town’s rapid growth is being undermined by outdated governance and a lack of investment.
Addressing Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan, Senator Comyn called for the creation of a Drogheda City Status Task Force within 12 months to deliver a clear plan for full city status and proper governance for the region.
“I’m not just standing here as a Senator, I’m speaking as someone born and raised in Drogheda,” she said. “We are growing like a city, but still being governed like a small town. That is failing our people every single day.”
Drogheda’s population now exceeds 50,000, rising to around 80,000 when nearby areas in East Meath are included. The figure already surpasses Waterford and is projected to overtake both Limerick and Galway within the next decade. Despite this growth, the area continues to be divided between two county councils, Louth and Meath, with no unified local authority or city-level governance.
Senator Comyn said this split is leaving Drogheda residents “falling between two stools”, with real-world impacts already being felt across the community. She highlighted challenges such as parents struggling to find school places, overcrowded public transport, GP shortages and worsening traffic congestion. She added that new housing developments continue to rise, yet infrastructure has not kept pace.
Minister O’Sullivan acknowledged Drogheda’s growth and its strategic importance along the Dublin–Belfast economic corridor. He said the complexities involved in establishing a new city council, particularly across two counties, would need to be examined carefully. The Minister also suggested that Drogheda’s status could be considered through the upcoming Local Democracy Task Force.
“There is potential for discussion on the future of Drogheda, and we might develop that further,” he said. “Perhaps Drogheda’s status as a city could also be looked at in that process. It is certainly something I will bring to the senior Minister.”
In response, Senator Comyn welcomed the discussion but warned that the time for talk is over. She said Drogheda’s future cannot be left to “vague discussions or political hesitation” and that the people deserve a clear roadmap for progress.
“We’re not looking for prestige. We’re looking for proper planning, investment and accountability,” she said. “The people of Drogheda deserve a clear path forward, and I won’t stop pushing until we get it.”
Senator Comyn said that dialogue alone is not enough and that the scale of Drogheda’s growth requires governance that reflects the reality on the ground. She vowed to continue campaigning until the town receives the recognition, investment and leadership it deserves.
“This is too important to be left in limbo,” she said. “Drogheda has waited long enough. We need action, we need vision, and we need to finally make Drogheda Ireland’s next city.”
