The CEO of Tipperary County Council insists every target the joint authority set out to achieve, since North and South combined, have been reached.
It comes as the amalgamated body is criticised after it was named Council of the Year by the Local Authority Members Association or LAMA just seven months after the merger.
Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath has branded the accolade as premature and claims there has been a serious downgrading of services since the amalgamation.
He claims South Tipp was sold out in the merger with staff demoralised. Deputy McGrath says huge a huge amount of work hours are being lost by staff travelling between Clonmel and Nenagh.
However Council CEO Joe McGrath – who points out that LAMA not themselves nominated the council for the top award – says while there have been challenges, the authority is working well
He feels Tipperary is leading the way as such a merger has never taken place before in Ireland.
