The Taoiseach says there will be no further attempt to change the county boundary between Waterford and Kilkenny.
In 2017, a recommendation from the boundary commission to transfer 6,000 hectares of land, just north of the city border, from Kilkenny to Waterford was met with severe backlash.
The change put forward in the Waterford Boundary Review Committee would have seen the transfer of approximately 4,000 persons from the administrative area of Kilkenny to that of Waterford, essentially splitting the parish of Slieverue in two.
However, those plans were eventually scrapped.
The Taoiseach, Housing Minister, and Transport Minister were all present at yesterday's (Monday's) North Quays sod-turning in Waterford City, which was attended by journalists from across the region.
One of the major elements of the North Quays development will be the building of a sustainable transport bridge.
"Can you allay fears," KCLR journalist Edwina Grace asked Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, "that maybe Waterford putting the bridge across towards the Kilkenny side might actually result in a reigniting of the land grab fears?"
The question elicited a jovial response from the ministers present, who clearly recalled the controversy of bygone boundary battles.
"There are no plans for any changes to county boundaries! Isn't that right, Darragh?", the Taoiseach laughed, turning to the Housing Minister for support.
"100% correct, Taoiseach!" Minister O'Brien responded, "We're not going down that road.
"And that's one you can take to the bank!"
For your latest Waterford News and Sport, click here.
