Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
805. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there plans to amend section 133 of the Local Government Act 2001 to ensure that all councillors have access to detailed minutes and decisions made at a corporate policy group level in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20417/21]
View answerThere are no current plans to amend section 133 of the Local Government Act 2001.
Part 7 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, sets out provisions for the establishment and operation of local authority committees and joint committees, including corporate policy groups (CPGs). Section 54(2) of the 2001 Act allows me to issue general policy guidelines for the purpose of any provision of Part 7 and states that local authorities shall comply with any such guidelines.
Guidelines entitled "Corporate Policy Groups and Strategic Policy Committees: Guidelines for establishment and operation" issued to local authorities on 29 May 2014 under circular LG 07/2014. Section 2.2 of the Guidelines requires that "the minutes of CPG meetings should be circulated to all members of the local authority as a matter of course".
The circular and guidelines are available on Gov.ie at the link below:
https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/1d064-circular-lg-072014-establishment-of-new-strategic-policy-committees-spcs-and-corporate-policy-group-strategic-policy-committee-guidance/
