The Local Government Efficiency Review Group, a body set up to examine ways of saving money, has called for the two Tipperarys, first separated in the Pre-Famine era, to be combined under one County Manager.

The body has also recommended that many of the functions of Tipperary's seven urban councils, be either removed or taken over by the County Council in a cost-saving exercise. The Review Group claims the changes would lead to greater efficiencies in areas such as planning, refuse and housing.

Newly elected Chairman of North Tipperary, Thurles based Councillor John Kennedy, said he wouldn't welcome the reforms.

The size of Tipperary would make the workload practically impossible for one County Manager, he told the Tipperary Star, although the two ridings could work together in promoting tourism and business, added Cllr Kennedy. "But in relation to housing or refuse, it's definitely a very big county and this is not putting Tipperary to the fore. This seems to be just about saving money for the government."

Cllr Kennedy said some of the recommendations contained in the report, such as that the County take over the planning functions of the Town Councils, are already in force in some Towns.

Also, the report suggests reducing or amalgamating the Director of Services office in North Tipp, which is a "huge portfolio," said Cllr Kennedy. "Who knows in five or 10 years time...we might be back to the crazy way it was in terms of planning applications just a few years ago? We need somebody there to the fore on that."

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In terms of having one Manager, Cllr Kennedy said he wouldn't mind seeing Thurles become the new "capital" of Tipp. If not, "it could be a long way from Nenagh to Clonmel. They might not be paying a Manager's salary but they'll be paying it in travel expenses," he said.

Chairman of South Tipperary County Council, Dr Séan McCarthy, said he has no personal objections to the merger plan, if the current level of services are maintained. A merger in some areas might be a "good idea" if it gave the county a single voice in terms of promoting the county's interests.

Cllr McCarthy said there has a been a huge "distancing" between the two ridings in the past few decades. While the proposals were only in their initial phase, "if there was a single unit, I think it would make a lot of sense."

However, Cllr McCarthy said he would be "totally opposed" to the abolition of the Town Councils. The County Manager's office should be maintained to a level sufficient to meet the County's needs, he added.

Asked if a new 'capital' of Tipperary should be located in the North or South, Cllr McCarthy said this was a "hot political potato" and joked that his home town of Cashel might make the perfect compromise choice between the two.