A move which could see a 30square kilometre section of Roscommon going to Westmeath will not happen under the current Government according to Roscommon Minister Denis Naughten.

Minister Naughten told the Irish Times that the proposal, which would see the area around Monksland move to Westmeath will not under any circumstances, happen in the lifetime of this administration.

A report on the creation of a greater Athlone area, prepared by a three-man group, is said to be complete, but it has yet to be submitted to Minister for Community and Local Government Simon Coveney.

Regardless of the Athlone Boundary Review’s recommendations, the proposed annexation will not happen in the lifetime of this Government according to Minister Naughten.