The Department of Finance is currently engaged in consultations with EUROSTAT about the Government's proposals on regionalisation. The necessary order will be made under the Local Government Act, 1991, as soon as possible in light of the outcome of these discussions.
Membership of the two new regional authorities will be drawn from elected representatives who are members of the eight existing regional authorities. The authorities will have the following responsibilities: managing new regional programmes in the next Community Support Framework; advising the Government on the regional dimension of the National Development Plan; monitoring the general impact of all EU programmes of assistance under the Community Support Framework in their areas; and promoting co-ordination of the provision of public services in their areas.