Vol. 558 No. 3
29 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has considered creating two separate streams of government, assigning local government a completely separate function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23897/02]
The complementary roles of central and local government have evolved over many years and through various institutional, policy and legislative changes. In addition, the role of elected local government was formally inscribed in the Constitution in 1999.
The existence of different layers of government and administration supports the operation of subsidiarity, which is recognised internationally as a principle of good governance. However, this principle does not require an unnecessarily rigid separation or demarcation between central and local government. In practice, flexible relationships and interactions between central and local government, and between them and other public sector agencies, are a normal feature of public administration in Ireland and other developed countries. I envisage that this approach will be continued.
