asked the Minister for Local Government if he will introduce legislation to enable counties, which are grouped together under one county manager, to have separate managers if they so desire, since the present law in this matter does not give satisfaction to the local authorities of such counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Managers.
Under Section 13 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, if the councils of two counties, which are grouped for management purposes, pass resolutions within three months of each other declaring that the counties should cease to be so grouped, the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Welfare, make an Order degrouping such counties. I have not had time to consider fully whether a case exists for the amendment of this provision.
Would the Minister look into the matter in view of the resolutions passed by the Laois County Council who unanimously decided at their meeting to degroup from Offaly? I can assure the Minister it is a very special case.
As I understand the matter, on 28th August, 1957, the Offaly County Council requested the Local Appointments Commission to recommend a person for appointment as manager. In accordance with Section 5 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, where one of the councils of two grouped counties makes such a request and the other does not on the same day so request a recommendation, the other council is deemed to have made such a request on that day. That is, in fact, what applied here.
There is nothing that can be done?
Not in this particular case. Interviews have been held and a recommendation is expected shortly.