Local Authorities Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (407, 410)

Clare Daly

Question:

407. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of Sligo Borough Council served a notice on the temporary county manager (detail supplied) under section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001, directing her to have a special meeting of the borough council convened on 16 December 2013; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the temporary county manager ignored the section 140 notice; the reason the assistant secretary of his Department appointed this person as temporary county manager, taking into consideration her view that she can ignore and refuse to comply with section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001; if his Department will, as a matter of urgency, now appoint a temporary county manager who will carry out his or her duties in compliance with the Local Government Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54163/13]

Joan Collins

Question:

410. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that elected members of Sligo Borough Council were advised by senior politicians to consider utilising their power under section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 to ensure that local government business could be transacted in Sligo; if it has been brought to his attention that the temporary county manager, appointed by the assistant secretary of his Department, has refused to act on a valid section 140 notice served on her by members of the council; if the assistant secretary of his Department intends to appoint council officials who refuse to comply with the Local Government Act to important positions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54192/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 410 together.

Section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 is not the mechanism to requisition a meeting of a local authority. This is provided for in paragraph 6 of Schedule 10 of the Act, which sets out the procedure for the Cathaoirleach to requisition a special meeting and for members of the authority to request the Cathaoirleach to requisition a meeting. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 681 and 706 of 5 November 2013, which sets out the position in regard to meetings of Sligo Borough Council and the appointment of a temporary County Manager of Sligo.