Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
332. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the obligations on local authorities to engage with and inform local Houses of the Oireachtas members following the abolition of the dual mandate; the measures his Department is taking to ensure that these obligations are being met; the checks that his Department has carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23279/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 237A of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) provides that local authorities shall conduct their dealings with members of the Oireachtas in accordance with regulations.
Local Government Act, 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. 274 of 2003), which came into operation on 1 August 2003, provide for the question of local authorities and their dealings with members of either House of the Oireachtas.
The regulations include provisions in relation to the supply of notice, agenda and minutes of local authority meetings and other specified documentation or information, correspondence with Oireachtas members by local authorities, arrangements to facilitate access to information, and communication generally by local authorities with Oirechtas members. The regulations can be found here: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2003/si/274/made/en/print
It is a function of a local authority to ensure that it is in compliance with the regulations.
