Cork City Council has called for the city boundary to be extended, which would increase the population by 100,000.

The population of the city is set to surpass 200,000, with areas including Little Island, Cork Airport and Ballincollig all set to be incorporated into the new, larger authority.

t is understood that the 2019 local election has been identified as the target for implementing the changes, which also include provisions for financial compensation for Cork County Council on the basis of a significant loss in rates.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Lord Mayor of Cork City Des Cahill said the decision reflects where the city stands modern day.

"The county should be allowed to develop and specialise more in the rural areas, and we in the city need to be able to specialise in the urban areas," he said.

However, Cork county councillor Joe Harris said the issue was more complex than simply extending the border.

"I feel that one Cork is what we should be aiming for," he said. "I think this is possibly going to perpetuate the urban-rural divide, and I think its completely unnecessary.

Harris suggested combining the city council and the county council with one executive,  maintaining the structure of both.

But Cahill said to do so would ultimately divide attention and finance required to do chair both effectively.

The Cork Harbour towns of Carrigaline, Passage West, Monkstown and Ringaskiddy will not be brought into the city to allow the harbour area be treated as a distinct economic entity.