Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 6

Written Answers. - Local Authority Co-Ordination.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

18 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has submitted any proposals to Dublin County Council and Dublin Borough Corporation outlining the way he envisages the four new local authorities will co-ordinate their affairs within the city and county of Dublin; when he expects firm proposals to be published; when he proposes to make the necessary regulations under the Local Government Act, 1991, to give effect to such a system of co-ordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Dr. O'Hanlon)

Part IV of the Local Government Act, 1991, sets out the arrangements which will apply in relation to the reorganisation of local government in Dublin. This involves the establishment of three area committees by the county council, the appointment of three area managers and the preparation of a reorganisation report jointly by the area managers in consultation with the area committees and the Dublin city and county manager.

In accordance with the Act, this report will outline the general arrangements needed in preparation for the abolition of the existing county council and Dún Laoghaire Corporation and the establishment of the new county councils, and it will outline the administrative, organisational and transitional measures necessary. The Act provides that, in preparing the report, regard must be had to the need for the co-ordination of services and it contains a specific provision under which the report must include an outline of the co-ordination arrangements considered necessary between any two or more of the proposed councils and between them and Dublin Corporation. It must also specify any services which should be provided jointly by any two or more authorities.

Copies of the reorganisation report are to be submitted to the Minister and to the Dublin authorities, including Dublin Corporation, who may make submissions to the Minister. Under the Act, it is only when he has considered this report that the Minister could make regulations to give effect to necessary preparations for the establishment of the new councils.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the Local Government Act, 1991, sets out a framework within which the preparations for, and the transition towards, the establishment of the new councils in Dublin can take place. The Act deals only with the basic principles on which the reorganisation is to be effected and leaves it to the local authorities, in the first instance, to develop proposals for detailed working arrangements, including co-ordination of services. I am satisfied that this is the right approach and I do not therefore propose to intervene in the matter at this stage. I will, of course, be considering the question of co-ordination fully at a later stage in the light of the proposals in the reorganisation report.