Phil Hogan
Ceist:439 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the terms or criteria or grade of employment whereby a civil or public servant can seek election to a local authority. [16818/03]
Written Answers. - Local Authorities.
Under the Local Government Act 2001, all persons who are citizens of Ireland or ordinarily resident in the State and are 18 years of age are eligible for election or co-option to a local authority, unless otherwise disqualified. Section 13 of the 2001 Act deals with disqualifications from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a member of, a local authority. Those disqualified include members of the Garda Síochána, permanent members of the Defence Forces and civil servants who are not by terms of employment expressly permitted to be a member of a local authority. Under existing arrangements, local authority employees above grade 3 level are ineligible for membership of their own or an adjoining local authority. It is intended that this exclusion will be extended to apply to all local authorities at the next local elections.