Batt O'Keeffe
Question:142 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the adoption and ratification of the European Charter of Local Self Government. [20771/98]
Written Answers. - Local Government Reform.
Ireland signed the European Charter of Local Self Government in October 1997. The ratification of the charter is one of a series of interlinked measures being undertaken to underpin the programme for the reform and renewal of local government. These include the preparation of a major local government Bill to modernise and update the law governing local authorities and a proposed amendment to the Constitution to accord recognition to local government and local elections. Ratification of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which requires Dáil approval, will take place as soon as possible as part of this process.