asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the European Charter of Local Self-Government; and if, agreeing to the principles of the charter, he will recommend to the Government that Ireland should sign the charter; the steps which would be necessary at national level by way of legislative changes to enable Ireland to ratify the Charter for Local Self-Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - European Charter of Local Self-Government.
188.
The European Charter of Local Self-Government was drawn up within the Council of Europe on the basis of a draft proposed by the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe. It was opened to signature as a convention by the member states of the Council of Europe in October 1985 and entered into force on 1 September 1988. The charter is the first multilateral legal instrument to define the principles of local autonomy.
As the Deputy will be aware, since becoming Minister I have been conducting an intensive review of the local government system in Ireland with a view to devising an appropriate package of measures which together will form the basis of a coherent and comprehensive reorganisation programme. Work on the reorganisation programme is now well advanced. When this reorganisation has been completed, full consideration will be given to the question of signing and ratifying the charter taking into account all the implications such a decision would entail.