Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
667. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if city managers or area managers in local authorities are allowed to be biased against city councillors; if all councillors have to be treated in a fair and balanced way by management in all local authorities; if there are sanctions if management acts in an unfair manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46374/15]
View answerSection 132 of the Local Government Act 2001 states that it is the duty of every chief executive of a local authority to carry into effect all lawful directions of the elected council in relation to the reserved functions of the local authority. Furthermore, it is the duty of the chief executive to advise and assist the elected council, corporate policy group, strategic policy committees and local community development committee on any matter relating to their functions.
Section 169 of the Act provides for the issuing of codes of conduct for elected members and employees in performing their functions. The Code of Conduct for Employees is available on my Department’s website at the following weblink: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,8776,en.pdf.
The Code states that mutual respect and courtesy between all employees (including the chief executive) and councillors is essential to good local government and should be maintained at all times. It also states that it is important that employees at all times act in a politically neutral way in performing their official duties and in their dealings with councillors.
