Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
93. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the terms of reference of the recently established committee to review the reports of the Cork local government committee. [32498/16]
View answer94. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the means of selecting the members of the recently established committee to review the reports of the Cork local government committee. [32499/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
The role of the Cork expert advisory group is to review the recommendations of the Cork Local Government Committee report. The group is tasked with examining both the majority and minority reports and underlying material and has a mandate to identify and examine a wider range of options for Cork than might have been considered previously. Full details for their terms of reference are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/expert-advisory-group-cork.
In considering members for the Cork expert advisory group, consideration was given to suitable candidates meeting the specific skill sets required. Specific professional expertise in strategic planning, local government administration and governance was sought to deal with the complexity of the issues involved.
I chose individuals who, in my view, have the necessary professional expertise in these areas and I included a mix of both national and international experts.
I expect this group, which will report directly to me, to generate a report early in 2017 which will enable me to build consensus and agree next steps to address the issue.
