By DECLAN TIERNEY 

The political landscape in Galway City is about to change dramatically following the announcement that there will be three additional local authority seats up for grabs at the next Local Elections.

The news is set to result in changes to boundaries of the three electoral wards, which will now be named municipal districts with the biggest adjustment being made in Galway City Central, which is the old West Ward.

It is expected that the three electoral wards will now have six councillors apiece when the local government reform kicks in.

At the moment Galway City Central has four seats so it means this electoral ward will be enlarged and will take in a chunk of Galway City East – possibly part of Tirellan Heights and stretching out to Menlo.

But the increase in the number of seats on Galway City Council has been slammed by a former Mayor of Galway who said that the numbers should have been cut significantly.

Fianna Fail’s Cllr Mike Crowe said that by increasing the number in the chamber, it means that less work would get done.

“Fifteen councillors is more than sufficient, but it really should have been cut down to eight or nine and make them full-time politicians with additional responsibilities and have them more answerable to the people of the city,” Cllr Crowe said.

While it has not yet been revealed where the three additional seats will be allocated, the general belief is that there will be three six-seater electoral wards.

This means that Galway City West will go from five to six, Galway City Central will increase by two while Galway City East will remain at six seats.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.