Ahead of the August 31st announcement of the conclusions of the Electoral Commission’s Boundary Review, the Drogheda City Status Group (DCSG) has released details of the comprehensive submission they made to the Commission in May 2023,
The submission sets out a compelling case for the current link between Drogheda and East Meath to be retained in one constituency as one of many elements in cementing the strong and growing relationship between Drogheda and East Meath.
“Our concern is that the Commission may be constrained by its Terms of Reference and simply seek to “rebalance” constituencies on the basis of numbers and also, in effect protect an obsolete 19th century Local Government structure, ignoring the needs and realities of the 21st century.
In the case of Drogheda, its footprint from both a community and commercial perspective extends to include Drogheda; South Louth and East Meath in what in reality is the Greater Drogheda Metropolitan Area which should be an emerging, attractive and potentially powerful economic region providing dramatic growth in local employment in the era of climate change” the submission states.
“However, this entire area that includes Ireland’s largest town and future city – Drogheda – has been largely ignored by the State and its agencies.
“For example; relative to its size, the IDA has failed to prioritise job creation in this area of exceptional potential for foreign direct investment (FDI).
“It also lacks a University Campus which could serve the 750,000 people living within 25 miles. These two facts alone result in a daily exodus of thousands from the area, travelling to work or study in Dublin and other locations, creating a heavy social, economic and environmental cost for the families and communities affected.
The Commission may propose that East Meath be absorbed into an adjacent Meath Constituency (but) such a decision would ignore the strong and growing links between Drogheda and East Meath.
“In the opinion of DCSG, this would be a regressive development, but will not hinder the growing momentum to formalise the Greater Drogheda Metropolitan Area for the benefit of all residents and businesses there.”
