Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there has been a chief executive in an interim position only in Galway County Council for seven years; when a chief executive will be appointed to Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5835/21]
View answerThe former Chief Executive of Galway County Council retired on 4 July 2014. A temporary chief executive was appointed at that time, pending a permanent appointment. In the intervening period, there has been extensive policy development processes examining optimum arrangements for local governance in Galway. Arising from these processes, in June 2018 the Government decided in principle to implement the unanimous recommendation of the Expert Advisory Group to amalgamate Galway City and County Councils by 2021.
In order to progress matters, the Local Government Bill 2018 contained provision for a single chief executive post with dual responsibility for Galway City and County Councils, to, inter alia, progressively implement organisational integration in advance of a full merger. However, these provisions were removed from the Bill through an amendment approved in the Seanad.
In light of the foregoing, it has been deemed appropriate to review the position in relation to the filling of the post of Chief Executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis. That review process is underway and will be concluded as quickly as possible.
