While I have responsibility for broad oversight of the local government system and specific responsibility for certain local government functions and services, I have no function in relation to this specific matter. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions including the provision of public toilet facilities under Section 49 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878.
However, I understand that in providing services such as toilet facilities at public amenities, local authorities are following the wider public health guidance and advice from the Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in the context of the ongoing implementation and management of public health measures.