asked the Minister for Local Government if he will examine the structure of the local government service in regard to the degree of control exercised by his Department over the actions of local councils; and if he is aware that many of the controls are outdated, are no longer necessary and occasionally operate against councils performing their functions in an efficient manner.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Local Government Service.
24.
Controls exercised by my Department over the activities of local authorities are kept to the minimum consistent with my responsibility in relation to the national, social, financial and economic policies and, in general, are applied only at those points where these responsibilities can most effectively be discharged. The controls are kept under review to ensure that local authorities are allowed the widest possible freedom of action in the discharge of their functions.