• Ability to communicate a single, consistent and united powerful voice for the Cork region;  
• Greater focus on economic development through combining and alignment of resources within Metro Cork for the entire Region  
• Enhanced capacity for advocacy and lobbying on National Policy issues relevant to Cork – speaking with one strong, united Cork voice;
• Potential for a single coordinated vision for economic development and by sector eg tourism for the region
• Provide an effective counter-balance and complement to Dublin and the eastern sea-board  
• Consistency and uniformity for the business sector in accessing enterprise supports
• Faster, more effective decision making
• Contribution to Cork’s role in the world economy and ability to promote a strong international image as a Region of appropriate scale
• Potential for devolution of powers and functions from central government 

In addition, a unitary authority has less formal legal barriers to implementation than boundary extension. The balance of power and authority with respect to a unitary authority will be weighted in favour of the Metropolitan Area, protecting the City which will act as the key economic driver for the region.