Local Government Management Services Board.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Ceisteanna (894, 895, 896, 897)

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

964 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government what exactly is the Local Government Management Services Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10323/07]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

965 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Local Government Management Services Board is a form of trade union for county managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10325/07]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

966 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the persons who sit on the Local Government Management Services Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10326/07]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

967 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is the Local Government Management Services Board’s intention to abolish the Health and Safety Authority or if it is attempting to prevent the HSA having the power to investigate the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10328/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 964 to 967, inclusive, together.

The Local Government Management Services Board, formerly the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board, is a corporate body established under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The provisions relating to the establishment, functions, constitution and operation of the Board are set out in the Local Government Management Services Board (Establishment) Order 1996. The board provides management services, human resources and industrial relations support and advice to local authorities and represents local authority management in proceedings in the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. It also provides services, including research, for meetings of county and city managers and assists local authorities towards the adapting of best practices in relation to their obligations under the full range of employment legislation including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. However, the Board has no role in relation to the operation of the Health and Safety Authority. The current membership of the Board comprises 10 County/City managers and 3 representatives of my Department.