Fórsa has called for consultation on possible transfers and other staffing issues that may flow from the proposed merger of Galway county and city councils, which was formally approved by the Cabinet last month.

The union’s local government chief, Peter Nolan, said Fórsa was not opposed the merger in principle, but said consultation was required. “It’s essential that negotiation with the union takes place in relation to the employment and working conditions of members,” he said. 

The merger plan follows similar amalgamations in Limerick and Waterford, but is believed to have been met with some local scepticism.

The change was recommended in an advisory group report chaired by Professor Eoin O’Sullivan. His report found that economic growth in Galway city matched a decline in economic growth in the county’s towns. Improvements in the city’s economy was essentially coming at the cost of growth in the towns, which prompted the group to recommend the merger of councils to address the issue.

The Government decided against merging the councils prior to the 2019 local elections, which means that the changes will not impact on local representation until 2024.