Local Government Act 2001

Number 37 of 2001

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 1 January 2024

This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Local Government Act 2001. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023 (40/2023), enacted 19 December 2023, and all statutory instruments up to and including the Income Tax (Employments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 1 of 2024), made 4 January 2024, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to revisedacts@lawreform.ie.


Number 37 of 2001


LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 1 January 2024


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1

Preliminary and General

Section

1.

Short title and collective citations.

2.

Interpretation generally.

3.

Construction of enactments.

4.

Regulations, orders and directions.

5.

Repeals, revocation and amendment of enactments.

6.

Savers.

7.

Commencement.

8.

Expenses.

PART 2

Local Government Areas and Local Authorities

9.

Establishment day.

10.

Local government areas.

11.

Establishment, titles and administrative areas of local authorities and consequential provisions.

PART 3

Local Authority Membership

12.

Eligibility for local authority membership.

13.

Disqualifications from local authority membership.

13A.

Application of disqualification to members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

14.

Prohibition on multiple membership of local authorities.

15.

Offence to act when disqualified.

16.

Cesser of membership.

17.

Term of office.

18.

Resignation from membership.

19.

Casual vacancies.

19A.

Temporary Absences.

20.

Savers (Part 3).

21.

Number of members of local authorities, etc.

22.

Alteration of number of members of local authority.

PART 3A

Municipal Districts

22A.

Municipal districts.

22B.

Members for municipal districts.

22C.

Cathaoirleach of municipal district.

PART 4

Local Elections

23.

Local electoral areas.

24.

Right to vote at local elections.

25.

Prohibition of plural voting.

26.

Year of elections to all local authorities.

26A.

Advance Polling.

27.

Conduct of elections.

28.

Temporary arrangements with respect to certain polling districts and register of electors.

29.

Consequential appointments to certain other bodies.

30.

Savers (Part 4).

PART 5

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach

Chapter 1

General

31.

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

32.

Alternative titles to Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, etc.

33.

Resignation of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

34.

Removal of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach from office.

Chapter 2

Election by Local Authority

35.

Application of Chapter 2. (Repealed)

35A.

Application of Chapter to municipal district members.

36.

Annual election of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach by local authority.

37.

Method of election of Cathaoirleach by local authority.

38.

Casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Chapter 3

Direct Election

39.

Application of Chapter 3. (Repealed)

40.

Direct election and tenure of Cathaoirleach of county council and city council. (Repealed)

41.

Casual vacancy in office of Cathaoirleach of county council or city council. (Repealed)

42.

Amendments to certain Acts, relating to direct elections, etc. (Repealed)

43.

Election petitions in relation to direct elections. (Repealed)

PART 6

Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

44.

Application (Part 6).

45.

Attendance of public and media at meetings.

46.

Meetings administrator.

47.

Effective discharge of business.

PART 7

Committees and Joint Committees

48.

Strategic policy committees.

49.

Municipal policy committees. (Repealed)

49A.

Local Community Development Committees.

50.

Area committees.

51.

Committees of local authorities.

52.

Joint committees of local authorities.

53.

Saver for acts of committee or joint committee.

54.

Regulations (Part 7).

PART 8

Local Authority Boundary Alteration

55.

Interpretation (Part 8). (Repealed)

56.

Proposal by local authority for alteration of boundary. (Repealed)

57.

Application for boundary alteration. (Repealed)

58.

Supplementary provision to sections 56 and 57. (Repealed)

59.

Minister may request review. (Repealed)

60.

Report by Local Government Commission. (Repealed)

61.

Power to alter boundaries, etc. (Repealed)

62.

Provisions consequential on boundary alteration. (Repealed)

PART 9

Functions of Local Authorities

Chapter 1

General Functions of Local Authorities

63.

Statement of local authority functions.

64.

Representational functions of local authorities.

65.

Ancillary functions of local authorities.

66.

Promotion of interests of local community.

66A.

Interpretation (sections 66A to 66H).

66B.

Local economic and community plan.

66C.

Preparation and making of local economic and community plans.

66D.

Publication of local economic and community plans.

66E.

Implementation of the economic elements of local economic and community plans.

66F.

Monitoring and review of economic elements of local economic and community plans.

66G.

Annual Report on monitoring and review of local economic and community plans.

66H.

Regulations and general policy guidelines.

67.

Amenity, recreation and other functions.

68.

Irish language and local authorities.

69.

Local authorities to have regard to certain matters in performing functions, etc.

70.

Exercise of certain functions. (Repealed)

71.

Objective of unified service to the public.

72.

Transfer of certain functions to local authorities.

73.

Saver (functional area).

Chapter 2

Ceremonial Functions

74.

Civic honours.

75.

Twinning of local authority areas.

76.

Entertainment and associated expenses of local authorities.

Chapter 3

Library and Archival Functions

77.

Library authorities.

78.

Functions of library authorities.

79.

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. (Repealed)

80.

Records and archives of local authorities.

Chapter 4

Non-Public Roads — Local Improvement Schemes

81.

Assistance towards non-public roads.

Chapter 5

Functions under Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, etc.

82.

Definitions (Chapter 5).

83.

Functions under Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, etc.

84.

Saver (Chapter 5). (Repealed)

PART 10

Agreements and arrangements concerning functions

85.

Agreements concerning functions.

86.

Joint discharge of functions and provision of services.

87.

Direction to make agreements.

88.

Savers (Part 10).

PART 11

Local Government Commission

89.

Establishment of Local Government Commission. (Repealed)

90.

Functions of Commission. (Repealed)

91.

Members of Commission. (Repealed)

92.

Eligibility and tenure of office of members, etc. (Repealed)

93.

Meetings and procedures of Commission. (Repealed)

94.

Services to Commission. (Repealed)

95.

Submissions to Commission. (Repealed)

PART 12

Financial Procedures and Audit

Chapter 1

Financial Procedures

96.

Local financial year.

97.

The local fund.

98.

Banking arrangements.

99.

Authorisation of payments.

100.

County council expenditure: town services. (Repealed)

101.

Expenses of certain town councils. (Repealed)

102.

Local authority budget.

103.

Local authority budget meeting.

103A.

Schedule of municipal district works.

104.

Limitation on additional expenditure.

105.

Submission of financial statements and reports.

106.

Borrowing and lending of money.

107.

Keeping of accounts.

108.

Consideration of annual financial statement.

109.

Community fund.

110.

Community initiative scheme.

111.

Regulations (Chapter 1).

112.

Obligations in case of proposal involving illegal payment, deficiency or loss.

113.

Savers.

Chapter 2

Audit

114.

Interpretation (Chapter 2).

115.

Application (Chapter 2).

116.

Local Government Audit Service.

117.

Code of audit practice.

118.

Audit procedure.

119.

Right of auditor to inspect documents, obtain information, etc.

120.

Audit opinion and report.

121.

Consideration of annual financial statement and auditor’s report.

122.

Audit committee.

123.

Extraordinary audit.

124.

Re-assignment of audit.

125.

Audit fees.

126.

Certification of claims, returns, etc.

PART 12A

National Oversight and Audit Commission

126A.

Interpretation (Part 12A).

126B.

Establishment of Commission.

126C.

Functions of Commission.

126D.

Reports to Minister or appropriate Minister.

126E.

Requests for information, etc., made to local government body, etc.

126F.

Requests for information, etc., made to certain public authorities.

126G.

Submissions to Commission.

126H.

Members of Commission.

126I.

Eligibility and tenure of office of members, etc.

126J.

Meetings and procedures of Commission.

126K.

Governance of Commission.

126L.

Regulations and determinations (Part 12A).

PART 13

Chapter 1

Local Authorities and the Local Community

127.

Consultation with local community.

128.

Recognised associations.

Chapter 2

Local Community Development Committees

128A.

Interpretation (Chapter 2).

128B.

Functions of Local Community Development Committees.

128C.

Membership of Local Community Development Committees.

128D.

Staffing of Local Community Development Committee.

128E.

Regulations and general policy guidelines.

128F.

Co-operation with Local Community Development Committees.

129.

County or City Development Boards. (Repealed)

PART 13A

Business Improvement Districts

129A.

Definitions (Part 13).

129B.

Rating authority approval of a business improvement district scheme.

129C.

BID proposal.

129D.

BID proposal to be available to public.

129E.

Public input to BID proposal.

129F.

Next steps after public input.

129G.

BID proposal goes to ratepayer plebiscite.

129H.

Costs of ratepayer plebiscite.

129I.

BID company requirements.

129J.

BID company to meet and adopt first budget following approval of BID scheme.

129K.

Separate BID fund to be established following approval of BID scheme.

129L.

Annual budget for BID scheme.

129M.

Annual BID multiplier.

129N.

Annual BID contribution levy.

129O.

Recalculation of levy in event of total destruction or demolition of property.

129P.

Recalculation of levy if valuation amended during chargeable period.

129Q.

Care and management of BID contribution levies.

129R.

Keeping of accounts and financial statements.

129S.

Early termination of BID schemes.

129T.

Final accounting of BID fund on termination of BID scheme.

PART 14

The Local Government Service

Chapter 1

The Elected Council

130.

Policy role of elected council.

131.

Reserved functions.

131A.

Performance of reserved functions in respect of municipal district members.

131B.

Supplemental provisions to section 131 and 131A.

132.

Reserved functions: duty of chief executive.

133.

Corporate policy group.

134.

Corporate plan.

134A.

Local authority service delivery plans.

135.

Report on capital programme.

136.

Furnishing of information to elected council.

137.

Plans, specifications to be prepared for elected council.

138.

Prior information to elected council.

139.

Direction that works not proceed.

140.

Requirement that a particular thing be done.

141.

Duty of members appointed to other bodies.

142.

Members’ expenses, remuneration, etc.

143.

Allowance for Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Chapter 2

Position of Chief Executive

144.

Position of chief executive.

145.

Appointment of chief executive.

146.

Suspension and removal of chief executive.

147.

Tenure of chief executive.

148.

Deputy chief executive.

149.

Executive functions.

149A.

Executive functions and shared services.

Chapter 3

Procedural Matters

150.

Definitions.

151.

Manager acting by signed order.

152.

Attendance of manager at local authority meetings.

153.

Legal proceedings.

154.

Delegation of functions.

Chapter 4

Local Authority Personnel

155.

Definitions (Chapter 4).

156.

Appropriate Minister.

157.

Application (Chapter 4).

158.

Provisions relating to the employment of persons by local authorities.

159.

Staffing and organisational arrangements.

160.

Qualifications for employment.

161.

Restrictions on local authority employment and membership of a local authority.

162.

Modification of restriction on being employed under certain related bodies.

163.

Amendment of Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926.

164.

Amendment of Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977.

165.

Savers (Chapter 4).

PART 15

Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service

166.

Interpretation (Part 15).

167.

Application (Part 15).

168.

Standards of integrity.

169.

Codes of conduct for Local Government Service.

170.

Prohibition of favours, rewards, etc.

171.

Annual declaration.

172.

Public register of interests.

173.

Ethics registrar.

174.

Duty of ethics registrar, etc.

175.

Declarable interests.

176.

Beneficial interests.

177.

Disclosure by member of local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

178.

Disclosure by manager for local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

179.

Disclosure by employee, etc. of local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

180.

Application of Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, etc.

181.

Offences (Part 15).

182.

Consequences of failure to comply with sections 171, 177, 178 and 179.

PART 16

Land

183.

Land disposals, notification of members.

184.

Exercise of certain land functions.

PART 17

Establishment of New Town Councils, etc.

185.

Establishment of town council. (Repealed)

186.

First election to town council. (Repealed)

187.

Dissolution of town council. (Repealed)

PART 18

Changing of Names of Areas and Display of Names of Streets, etc.

188.

Interpretation.

189.

Changing of placename.

190.

Change of placename of place situated in more than one local authority area.

191.

Daingean Uí Chúis.

192.

General provisions relating to change of names.

193.

Display of name of street or place.

194.

Construction of references.

195.

Changing of name of locality situated in more than one local authority area. (Repealed)

196.

General provisions relating to change of names. (Repealed)

197.

Display of name of street, etc. (Repealed)

PART 19

Bye-Laws

198.

Interpretation (Part 19).

199.

Power to make bye-law.

200.

Procedure for making bye-law.

201.

Certain bye-laws to be submitted to appropriate Minister.

202.

Publication of bye-law.

203.

Proof of bye-law.

204.

Obstruction, etc. of authorised person.

205.

Bye-law offences and penalties.

206.

Fixed payment notices.

207.

Prosecution of offences (Part 19).

208.

Payments of fines and fixed payments.

209.

Continuation in force of existing bye-laws, etc.

210.

Power to apply (Part 19).

211.

Amendment of Control of Dogs Act, 1986.

PART 19A

Entry Year Property Levy

211A.

Definitions.

211B.

Entry year property levy.

211C.

Recalculation of levy in event of total destruction or demolition of property.

211D.

Recalculation of entry year levy if rateable valuation amended.

211E.

Post-entry year property levy in specified circumstances.

211F.

Recalculation of post-entry year levy if rateable valuation amended.

PART 20

Public Local Inquiries

212.

Power to hold public local inquiries.

213.

Power of inspector conducting a public local inquiry.

214.

Power to direct payment of certain costs in relation to a public local inquiry, etc.

PART 21

Consequential Provisions on Failure to Perform Functions

215.

Definitions (Part 21).

216.

Failure to perform functions, etc.

217.

Holding of new election after removal of members.

218.

Appointment of commissioners, etc.

219.

Exercise of functions by commissioners.

220.

Linked bodies.

PART 22

Miscellaneous

221.

Annual report.

222.

Returns, information to Minister.

223.

Electoral divisions.

224.

Report by authorised person.

225.

Local authority associations.

226.

Local Authority Members’ Association.

227.

Reclaimed land and structures to form part of local authority area.

228.

Acceptance of gifts by a local authority.

229.

Power of local authorities to enter into contracts, etc.

230.

Joint burial boards.

231.

Joint drainage committees.

232.

Regulations to remove difficulties.

233.

Reduction of grants etc. in certain circumstances.

234.

Offence by body corporate.

235.

Commencement of summary proceedings.

236.

Discharge of certain functions by Minister.

237.

Regional authorities, functions.

237A.

Regulations relating to members of House of Oireachtas.

PART 23

Transfer of Temple Bar Properties Limited to Dublin City Council

238.

Definition (Part 23).

239.

Transfer of Temple Bar Properties Limited to Dublin City Council.

240.

Shareholder in Temple Bar Properties Limited.

241.

Transitional (Part 23).

242.

Repeals (Part 23).

PART 24

Miscellaneous Amendments

243.

Amendment of Electoral Act, 1992.

244.

Amendment of Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998.

245.

Amendment of Roads Act, 1993.

246.

Amendment of Abattoirs Act, 1988.

247.

Additional amendments to Planning and Development Act, 2000.

SCHEDULE 1

Acts included in collective citation — Local Government Acts, 1925 to 2001

SCHEDULE 2

Construction of Certain Terms in Other Enactments

SCHEDULE 3

Enactments Repealed and Revoked

SCHEDULE 4

Minor and consequential Amendments to Acts

SCHEDULE 5

Local Government Areas

SCHEDULE 6

Local Government Areas (Towns) (Repealed)

SCHEDULE 7

Number of Members of Local Authorities

SCHEDULE 8

Alternative Titles to Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, etc.

SCHEDULE 9

Minor and Consequential Amendments relating to Direct Elections, etc. (repealed)

SCHEDULE 10

Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

1.

Local authority meetings.

2.

Place, date and time of meetings.

3.

Day of annual meeting.

4.

Business and public notice of annual meeting.

5.

Local authority budget meeting.

6.

Special meetings.

7.

Notification of meeting and agenda.

8.

Public notice of meetings.

9.

Business of meeting.

10.

Chairing of meetings.

11.

Quorum.

12.

Doing of acts and determination of questions.

13.

Disorderly conduct.

14.

Minutes.

15.

Record of attendance at meetings and address for correspondence.

16.

Standing orders.

17.

Committees.

18.

Right to form groups for certain appointments.

19.

Equity in appointments, etc.

SCHEDULE 11

Local Authority Boundary Alteration

SCHEDULE 12

Acts of the Oireachtas: Functions of Local Authorities

SCHEDULE 13

Amenities, Recreation and Other Functions

SCHEDULE 14

Certain Reserved Functions

SCHEDULE 14A

Reserved Functions

SCHEDULE 15

Functions to be done by Manager’s Order

SCHEDULE 16

Relevant Bodies to which Section 128F(1)(d) Relates


Acts Referred to

Abattoirs Act, 1988

1988, No. 8

Air Pollution Act, 1987

1987, No. 6

Air-raid Precautions Acts, 1939 and 1946

Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995

Arts Acts, 1951 and 1973

Building Control Act, 1990

1990, No. 3

Canals Act, 1986

1986, No. 3

Casual Trading Act, 1995

1995, No. 19

City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955

1955, No. 12

Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956

1956, No. 46

Coast Protection Act, 1963

1963, No. 12

Commissioners Clauses Act, 1847

10 & 11 Vict. c. 16

Companies Act, 1963

1963, No. 33

Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999

Control of Dogs Act, 1986

1986, No. 32

Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 and 1992

Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992

1992, No. 13

Control of Horses Act, 1996

1996, No. 37

Cork City Management Act, 1929

1929, No. 1

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1941

1941, No. 5

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1965

1965, No. 8

Coroners Act, 1962

1962, No. 9

Counties and Boroughs (Ireland) Act, 1840

3 & 4 Vict. c. 109

County Dublin Grand Jury Act, 1844

7 & 8 Vict. c. 106

County Management Act, 1940

1940, No. 12

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1942

1942, No. 13

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1972

1972, No. 32

County Treasurers (Ireland) Act, 1867

30 & 31 Vict. c. 46

Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935

1935, No. 18

Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act, 1961

1961, No. 38

Dangerous Substances Acts, 1972 and 1979

Derelict Sites Act, 1990

1990, No. 14

Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909

9 Edw. 7. c. 47

Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act, 1997

1997, No. 7

Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act, 1987

1987, No. 34

Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995

1995, No. 22

Electoral Act, 1963

1963, No. 19

Electoral Act, 1992

1992, No. 23

Electoral Act, 1997

1997, No. 25

Electoral Act, 1992 to 1999

Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1998

1998, No. 4

Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992

1992, No. 7

European Parliament Elections Act, 1997

1997, No. 2

Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952

1952, No. 24

Fire Services Act, 1981

1981, No. 30

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998

1998, No. 29

Foreshore Acts, 1933 to 1998

Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956

1956, No. 2

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836

6 & 7 Will. 4 c. 116

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1853

16 & 17 Vict. c. 136

Harbours Act, 1946

1946, No. 9

Harbours Act, 1996

1996, No. 11

Harbours Acts, 1946 to 1976

Health Act, 1970

1970, No. 1

Health Acts, 1947 to 2001

Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act, 1999

1999, No. 13

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960

1960, No. 46

Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973

1973, No. 25

Housing Act, 1966

1966, No. 21

Housing Act, 1988

1988, No. 28

Housing Acts, 1966 to 1998

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992

1992, No. 18

Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Acts, 1982 and 1983

Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998

1998, No. 33

Industrial Development Act, 1986

1986, No. 9

Industrial Development Act, 1995

1995, No. 28

Interpretation Act, 1937

1937, No. 38

Limerick City Management Act, 1934

1934, No. 35

Limerick City Management Act, 1950

1950, No. 24

Litter Pollution Act, 1997

1997, No. 12

Local Authorities (Acceptance of Gifts) Act, 1945

1945, No. 30

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) Act, 1940

1940, No. 22

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) (Amendment) Act, 1945

1945, No. 13

Local Authorities (Electrical Employees) Act, 1937

1937, No. 13

Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1936

1936, No. 55

Local Authorities (Mutual Assurance) Acts, 1926 to 1935

Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926

1926, No. 39

Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Acts, 1926 to 1983

Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Acts, 1975 and 1987

Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949

1949, No. 17

Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 1999

Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999

1999, No. 7

Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974

1974, No. 8

Local Government Act, 1925

1925, No. 5

Local Government Act, 1927

1927, No. 3

Local Government Act, 1941

1941, No. 23

Local Government Act, 1946

1946, No. 24

Local Government Act, 1955

1955, No. 9

Local Government Act, 1958

1958, No. 9

Local Government Act, 1959

1959, No. 10

Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960

1960, No. 40

Local Government Act, 1991

1991, No. 11

Local Government Act, 1994

1994, No. 8

Local Government Act, 1998

1998, No. 16

Local Government Act, 2000

2000, No. 25

Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1934

1934, No. 44

Local Government Board (Ireland) Act, 1872

35 & 36 Vict. c. 69

Local Government (Buncrana) Act, 1968

1968, No. 2

Local Government (Collection of Rates) Act, 1924

1924, No. 11

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930

1930, No. 27

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1945

1945, No. 8

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1993

1993, No. 31

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

1978, No. 35

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1983

1983, No. 10

Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983

1983, No. 21

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997

1997, No. 29

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 2000

2000, No. 6

Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937

1937, No. 3 (Private)

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871

34 & 35 Vict. c. 109

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1900

63 & 64 Vict. c. 63

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902

2 Edw. 7. c. 38

Local Government (Multi-Storey Buildings) Act, 1988

1988, No. 29

Local Government (Nomination of Presidential Candidates) Act, 1937

1937, No. 36

Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1999

Local Government (Rateability of Rents) (Abolition) Act, 1971

1971, No. 15

Local Government (Rates) Act, 1970

1970, No. 2

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985

1985, No. 7

Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968

1968, No. 6

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948

1948, No. 3

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964

1964, No. 29

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995

Local Government (Sanitary Services) (Joint Burial Boards) Act, 1952

1952, No. 22

Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1980

1980, No. 8

Local Government (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 1924

1924, No. 13

Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971

1971, No. 6

Local Officers and Servants (Dublin) Act, 1941

1941, No. 15

Malicious Injuries Acts, 1981 and 1986

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998

1998, No. 7

Municipal Corporations Act, 1882

45 & 46 Vict. c. 50

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840

3 & 4 Vict. c. 108

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1843

6 & 7 Vict. c. 93

Municipal Corporations Mortgages etc. Act, 1860

23 & 24 Vict. c. 16

Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884

47 & 48 Vict. c. 70

National Archives Act, 1986

1986, No. 11

National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1994

Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997

1997, No. 20

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851

14 & 15 Vict. c. 93

Planning and Development Act, 2000

2000, No. 30

Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935

1935, No. 17

Presidential Elections Act, 1993

1993, No. 28

Prevention of Corruptions Acts, 1889 to 1995

Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890

53 & 54 Vict. c. 59

Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907

7 Edw. 7. c. 53

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878

41 & 42 Vict. c. 52

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896

59 & 60 Vict. c. 54

Public Libraries Act, 1947

1947, No. 40

Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1999

1999, No. 20

Road Fund (Grants) (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1962

1962, No. 3

Roads Act, 1993

1993, No. 14

Roads Acts, 1993 and 1998

Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 1995

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989

1989, No. 7

School Attendance Act, 1926

1926, No. 17

School Attendance Acts, 1926 to 1967

Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Acts, 1947 and 1954

Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981

1981, No. 1

Survey (Ireland) Acts, 1825 to 1870

Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act, 1991

1991, No. 19

Town Renewal Act, 2000

2000, No. 18

Towns Improvement Clauses Act, 1847

10 & 11 Vict. c. 34

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Údarás na Gaeltachta Acts, 1979 to 1999

Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1940

1940, No. 34

Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977

1977, No. 10

Universities Act, 1997

1997, No. 24

Urban Renewal Act, 1986

1986, No. 19

Urban Renewal Act, 1998

1998, No. 27

Vocational Education Act, 1930

1930, No. 29

Vocational Education Acts, 1930 to 1999

Waste Management Act, 1996

1996, No. 10

Water Supplies Act, 1942

1942, No. 1

Waterford City Management Act, 1939

1939, No. 25


Number 37 of 2001


LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 1 January 2024


AN ACT TO MAKE FURTHER AND BETTER PROVISION IN RELATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO CONSOLIDATE WITH AMENDMENTS CERTAIN ENACTMENTS RELATING GENERALLY TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES. [21st July, 2001]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C1

Functions transferred and references construed (27.07.2017) by Community Development (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 357 of 2017), arts. 2, 3 and sch. part 1, in effect as per art. 1(2), subject to transitional provisions in arts. 4-8.

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

(2) References to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government contained in any Act or any instrument made under such Act and relating to any administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

3. (1) The functions vested in the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government—

(a) by or under—

(i) the Acts specified in Part 1 of the Schedule,

(ii) the instruments specified in Part 2 of the Schedule,

and

(b) in relation to—

(i) any programmes, schemes and funds arising from the performance of the functions transferred by this Order, including the programmes, schemes and funds specified in Part 3 of the Schedule,

(ii) Pobal, and

(iii) Irish Water Safety

are transferred to the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

(2) References to the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government contained in any Act or instrument made under such Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Article shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

...

SCHEDULE

PART 1

...

Sections 49A and 128A to 128F (inserted by section 36 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014), and section 4 in so far as it relates to regulations made under section 128E or to regulations made for the purposes of enabling section 128E to have full effect, of the Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66A to 66H (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 (No. 1 of 2014)) of the Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001)

Sections 77 (amended by section 5 of, and Part 1 of Schedule 1 to, the Local Government Reform Act 2014), 78 and 80 of the Local Government Act 2001

Section 127 (inserted by section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 ) of the Local Government Act 2001

...

C2

Application of collectively cited Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2016 restricted (3.07.2017) by Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (17/2016), s. 4(1), S.I. No. 270 of 2017.

Strategic housing developments and planning applications

4. (1) Subject to subsection (4), during the specified period and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other provision of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2016

(a) an application for permission for a strategic housing development shall—

(i) be made to the Board under this section and not to a planning authority, other than an application for permission, the purpose of which is as set out in section 34(3A) of the Act of 2000,

(ii) be so made only where section 6(7)(b) applies or, in the case that a request is made under section 7(1), when the Board has complied with the request pursuant to section 7(2),

(iii) be so made only where the applicant for permission has fulfilled the requirements set out in section 8,

(iv) be in such form and contain such information as is prescribed, and

(v) be accompanied by the appropriate fee,

and

(b) a copy of the application, shall be sent by the applicant to the planning authority or authorities in whose area or areas the proposed strategic housing development would be situated.

...

C3

Reference to functions of a town council construed (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), S. 25(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Dissolution of town councils — consequential provisions

25. ...

(2) A function of a town council (including a reference construed by section 3(2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Principal Act as a reference to a town council and whether of general application to town councils or otherwise under an enactment) that—

(a) has not been repealed or otherwise provided for by this Act, or

(b) is neither spent nor obsolete,

shall, if the context permits in respect of one or more than one town council concerned, be read as a reference to a function of the local authority in whose administrative area the town council so dissolved is situated.

...

C4

Alternate commencement date for certain amendments by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014) prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28, commenced on enactment as per subs. (5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

(a) the local government areas provided for by section 10 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 12,

(b) the amendments by section 14 to section 11 of the Principal Act shall have effect,

(c) the numbers of members of local authorities provided for in section 21 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 15,

(d) the amendments by section 20(1) to section 23 of the Principal Act shall have effect,

(e) such other amendments by this Act to the Principal Act as are necessary to enable the holding of local elections shall have effect, including amendments to section 2 of the Principal Act,

(f) the Electoral Acts 1992 to 2014, the Local Elections Acts 1974 to 2012 and the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995) shall have effect as amended by section 5(4) and Part 2 of Schedule 2, and

(g) Schedule 6 to the Principal Act shall not have effect.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) and for the purpose of holding elections to local authorities after 2014, regulations and orders may be made by the Minister under the appropriate provisions of the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2014 having regard to paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (1).

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

C5

Application of collectively cited Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 2001 and Local Government Acts 1925 to 2003 and Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 affected (21.09.2011) by European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), regs. 42(22), 46(3), 63(2) and sch. 2, in effect as per reg. 1(3).

Screening for Appropriate Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of implications for European Sites

42. ...

(22) Notwithstanding any provision of any statute listed in the Second Schedule that provides for the consent for a plan or project to which this Regulation applies to be obtained by default on the failure of the public authority to provide a response within a specified timescale or otherwise, that provision shall not have effect in respect of any plan or project to which this Regulation applies.

...

Review of existing plans

46. ...

(3) For the purposes of this Regulation, a decision, including a decision to adopt or undertake, or give approval for a plan, may include those adopted, undertaken or approved pursuant to any of the enactments set out in the Second Schedule to these Regulations.

...

General provisions regarding licences etc

63. ...

(2) A licence, consent, permission, permit, derogation or other authorisation given under these Regulations or under any of the enactments referred to in the Second Schedule may include conditions requiring compliance with any guideline or code of practice issued under Regulation 71 or such provisions thereof as may be specified in the conditions.

...

SECOND SCHEDULE

Number

Year

Short Title/Citation

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 2001

...

Local Government Acts 1925 to 2003

...

Roads Acts 1993 to 2007

...

C6

Functions transferred from “specified bodies” to the “Executive” (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 59 and sch. 3, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Transfer of functions of specified bodies to Executive.

59.—(1) The functions that, immediately before the establishment day, were the functions of a specified body under or in connection with the enactments referred to in Schedule 3 are, by this Act, transferred to the Executive on that day.

(2) If a provision of an enactment referred to in Schedule 3 , or a provision of an instrument made under such enactment, does not come into effect until on or after the establishment day, a function that on the passing of that enactment or the making of that instrument was assigned under or in connection with that provision to a specified body is, by this Act, transferred to the Executive on the commencement of that provision.

(3) The functions transferred by this Act to the Executive include the functions specified in any enactment referred to in Schedule 3 as a function of the following:

(a) the chief executive officer of a health board;

(b) the Regional Chief Executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority;

(c) the area chief executive of an Area Health Board.

(4) This section does not apply in relation to the functions of the Hospital Bodies Administrative Bureau.

...

SCHEDULE 3

Transfer of Functions and References to Functional Areas

Section 59 and 67 .

...

61. Local Government Act 2001 59

...

C7

Application of collectively cited Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 restricted by Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000), s. 177V(3), as inserted (21.09.2011) by Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 (30/2010), s. 57, S.I. No. 475 of 2011.

[Appropriate assessment.

177V.— ...

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, or, as appropriate, the Act of 2001, or the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, a competent authority shall make a Land use plan or give consent for proposed development only after having determined that the Land use plan or proposed development shall not adversely affect the integrity of a European site.

...]

Editorial Notes:

E1

Making any relevant communications about the development or zoning of land under collectively cited Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2014 designated as lobbying activity (1.09.2015) by Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (5/2015), s. 5(1), S.I. No. 152 of 2015.

PART 1

Preliminary and General

Section 1

Short title and collective citations.

1

1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Government Act, 2001.

(2) This Act (other than sections 163, 164 and 211 and Parts 23 and 24) and the Acts referred to in Schedule 1 may be cited together as the Local Government Acts, 1925 to 2001, and shall be read together as one.

(3) Sections 81 and 245 and the Roads Acts, 1993 and 1998, may be cited together as the Roads Acts, 1993 to 2001, and shall be read together as one.

(4) Chapter 5 of Part 9 and the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, may be cited together as the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, and shall be read together as one.

(5) Parts 3, 4 and F1[] section 243 and the Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 1999, may be cited together as the Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 2001, and shall be read together as one.

(6) Part 23 and the Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act, 1991, may be cited together as the Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Acts, 1991 and 2001, and shall be read together as one.

(7) Sections 2, 5(3) and Schedule 4 (in so far as they relate to the Act of 2000), section 247 and the Act of 2000 may be cited together as the Planning and Development Acts, 2000 and 2001.

Annotations

Amendments:

F1

Deleted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 2

Interpretation generally.

2

2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

F2["2014 establishment day" means the day appointed by order under section 8 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 to be the establishment day for the purposes of that Act;]

“Act of 2000” means the Planning and Development Act, 2000;

F3["administrative area" means an area standing established under section 10 for the purposes of local government and which is

(a) a county in the case of a county council,

(b) a city in the case of a city council,

(c) a city and county in the case of a city and county council;]

“annual meeting” means an annual meeting of a local authority as provided for in paragraph 3 of Schedule 10;

“annual report”, in the context of a local authority, means a report under section 221;

“casual vacancy” shall be read in accordance with section 19(1);

“Cathaoirleach” has the meaning given to it by section 31;

F2["chief executive" means a chief executive for the purposes of section 144;]

F4["city council" means a local authority to which section 11(2)(b) relates;]

F2["city and county council" means a local authority to which section 11(2)(c) relates;]

F5[]

“committee” means a committee of a local authority established under Part 7;

“corporate plan” has the meaning given to it by section 134;

“corporate policy group” means a committee established under section 133(1);

F4["county council" means a local authority to which section 11(2) (a) relates;]

F5[]

F6[]

“direction” means a direction in writing given by—

(a) the Minister under this Act, or

(b) an appropriate Minister under Chapter 4 of Part 14;

“Director of Audit” means a person appointed under section 116;

“elected council” means the members of the local authority concerned and shall be read in accordance with section 11(5);

“election year” means a year in which a local election is held;

“enactment” includes a statutory instrument within the meaning given by section 3 of the Interpretation Act, 1937;

“establishment day” means the day appointed by the Minister by order under section 9 to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act;

“excluded day” means a day which is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday (within the meaning given by the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997) or any other day on which the principal offices of the local authority concerned are closed;

“executive function” shall be read in accordance with section 149;

“functions” includes powers and duties and a reference to the performance of functions includes, with respect to powers and duties, a reference to the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of the duties;

“joint body” means—

(a) F5[]

(b) a joint drainage board,

(c) a joint drainage committee,

(d) F5[]

(e) a joint burial committee,

(f) a joint committee to which section 52(5) applies, or

(g) such other body as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 144(7);

“joint committee” means a joint committee established under Part 7;

“land” has the meaning given to it by the Act of 2000;

“Leas-Chathaoirleach” has the meaning given to it by section 31;

F4["local authority" means

(a) in relation to a municipal district, the county council or the city and county council in which the municipal district is situated, and

(b) in every other case

(i) a county council,

(ii) a city council,

(iii) a city and county council;]

“local authority budget” means a budget adopted under section 103(7) and “budget”, in relation to a local authority, shall be read accordingly;

“local authority budget meeting” has the meaning given to it by section 103;

“local community” means persons ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the local authority concerned and, where relevant as regards a function of the authority, includes persons from outside that area who regularly use facilities of a social, economic, recreational, cultural or other nature provided by the authority;

“local consultative committee” has the meaning given to it by section 21 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998;

F2["local economic and community plan" means a plan to which sections 66A to 66H relate;]

“local election” means an election under Part 4;

“local electoral area” means an area referred to in section 23 by reference to which a local election is held;

F7["local fund" has the meaning given to it by section 97;]

F5[]

“local government elector” means a person entitled to vote at a local election;

F5[]

“meetings administrator” shall be read in accordance with section 46;

“member”, in relation to a local authority, includes a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach;

“Minister” means the Minister for the Environment and Local Government;

F2["municipal district" shall be read in accordance with section 22A;

"municipal district members" shall be read in accordance with section 22B;]

“ordinary day of retirement” has the meaning given to it by section 17;

“public authority” means—

(a) a Minister of the Government,

(b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland,

(c) a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946,

F8[(d) the Health Service Executive established under section 6 of the Health Act 2004]

(e) a board or other body (but not including a company under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999) established by or under statute,

(f) a company under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999, in which all the shares are held—

(i) by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government,

(ii) by directors appointed by a Minister of the Government, or

(iii) by a board, company or other body referred to in paragraph (e) or subparagraph (i) or (ii),

F9[(g) the Child and Family Agency established under section 7 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, and

(h) such other body as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for the purposes of any provision of this Act.]

“public local inquiry” means an inquiry held under Part 20 and “inquiry” shall be read accordingly;

“public notice”, in the context of a local authority, means a notice published in at least one newspaper circulating in the local authority’s administrative area;

F4["rating authority" means

(a) a county council,

(b) a city council, or

(c) a city and county council;]

“register of electors” has the meaning given to it by section 24(1);

F4["reserved function" shall be read in accordance with sections 131 and 131A;]

“standing orders”, in the context of a local authority, has the meaning given by paragraph 16(1) of Schedule 10;

“strategic policy committee” has the meaning given by section 48;

“structure” means any building, erection, structure (including a movable structure), excavation, or other thing constructed, erected, made or placed on, in or under any land, or any part of a structure so defined and, where the context so admits, includes the land on, in or under which the structure is situated;

F2["transfer date" has the meaning given in section 23 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. ]

F10[]

(2) In this Act a reference to the total number of members of a local authority shall be read as the number of members of the local authority concerned as determined by section 21.

(3) In this Act a reference to local government areas or to the administrative area of a local authority does not include an area added for local electoral purposes only under section 17 of the Local Government Act, 1994.

(4) In this Act a reference to a person being disqualified from election or co-option to a local authority shall be read as including a disqualification from nomination for election or co-option to a local authority.

(5) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires, a reference to social inclusion or its promotion shall be read as including a reference to any policy, objective, measure or activity designed to counteract poverty or other social deprivation or to facilitate greater participation by marginalised groups in the social, economic and cultural life of the local community.

(6) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

(a) a reference to a section, Chapter, Part or Schedule is a reference to a section, Chapter or Part of, or Schedule to, this Act, as the case may be, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,

(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or subclause is to the subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or subclause of the provision (including a Schedule) in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.

(7) In this Act, a reference to any enactment shall be read as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment, including this Act.

Annotations

Amendments:

F2

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F3

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1), 25(4)(a) and sch. 1 part 1 item 2, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F4

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F5

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F6

Deleted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

F7

Inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 2, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

F8

Substituted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 6 part 21 item 1, S.I. No. 887 of 2004, art. 2(i).

F9

Substituted and inserted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 part 15 item 1, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F10

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1), 25(4)(a) and sch. 1 part 1 item 18, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C8

References to "county council" and "city council", and to "administrative area of a county council" or "administrative area of a city coucil" construed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 9(2), (3),S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Cesser and amalgamation of certain local government areas

9. ...

(2) Except where otherwise provided for by this Act, a reference, however expressed, in any enactment—

(a) to a county council or a city council (including a reference construed by section 3(2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Principal Act as a reference to a county council or to a city council, as the case may be) shall, if the context permits, be read as a reference to a county council, a city council or a city and county council, and

(b) to a county council and a city council (including a reference so construed) shall, if the context permits, be read as a reference to a county council, a city council and a city and county council.

(3) Except where otherwise provided for by this Act, a reference, however expressed, in any enactment—

(a) to the administrative area of a county council or the administrative area of a city council shall, if the context permits, be read as a reference to the administrative area of a county council, the administrative area of a city council or the administrative area of a city and county council, and

(b) to the administrative area of a county council and the administrative area of a city council shall, if the context permits, be read as a reference to the administrative area of a county council, the administrative area of a city council and the administrative area of a city and county council.

C9

Alternate commencement date for amendments by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014) prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(e), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(e) such other amendments by this Act to the Principal Act as are necessary to enable the holding of local elections shall have effect, including amendments to section 2 of the Principal Act,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Section 3

Construction of enactments.

3

3.—(1) Every enactment (including any provision contained in a local, personal or private Act) and every order, regulation, rule, bye-law or other instrument or agreement in force immediately before the commencement of a provision of this Act shall, on and after the day of such commencement but subject to any regulations made under this section, be read and have effect with such modifications as may be necessary to give effect to this Act or an order or regulations under it and to have effect in conformity with it.

(2) A reference in any enactment other than this Act to an expression mentioned in the first column of Schedule 2 or to a similar or analogous expression shall, except where the context otherwise requires and subject to any regulations made under this section, be read as a reference to the appropriate expression of this Act as indicated in the second column of that Schedule opposite the expression in the first column.

(3)(a) The Minister, or any other Minister of the Government after consultation with the Minister, may, in respect of any enactment, instrument or agreement which relates to matters for which the relevant Minister has general responsibility, make regulations for the purposes of enabling subsection (1) to have full effect.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), regulations under this subsection may, in respect of a provision of any other enactment, instrument or agreement which is related to or otherwise affected by any provision of this Act, provide for its adaptation, modification or cesser of operation in so far as this appears necessary or expedient to the Minister concerned for the purposes of securing that any such other provision shall have effect in conformity with this Act or with an order or regulations made under it.

(4) Regulations may not be made under this section after the expiration of 3 years from the establishment day.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E2

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.08.2015) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 363 of 2015).

E3

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E4

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2004) by Athlone Town Boundary Alteration (Supplementary) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 705 of 2003).

E5

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E6

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2008) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E7

Previous affecting provisions: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 4

Regulations, orders and directions.

4

4.—(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed or for the purposes of enabling any provision to have full effect.

(2) Without prejudice to any other provision of this Act, a regulation or order under this Act may provide for such incidental, consequential, supplementary or transitional provisions (including provisions for the purpose of securing the continuity of any provision of this Act with any provision of any other Act or instrument repealed, revoked, amended or otherwise affected by this Act or by any regulations or order made under it) as may appear to the Minister making the regulation or order to be appropriate for the purposes of this Act or any regulations or order made under it.

(3) A regulation or an order under this Act may—

(a) apply to local authorities generally, to any class or classes of local authorities specified in the regulations or the order or to a particular local authority so specified,

(b) contain different provisions in relation to different local authorities or to different parts of the administrative area of a local authority,

(c) provide for the giving of directions by the Minister (including directions amending or revoking any such directions).

(4)(a) Except where paragraph (c) applies, every order and regulation made by the Minister or any other Minister of the Government under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made.

(b) If after an order or regulation is laid under paragraph (a) a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either House of the Oireachtas within the next 21 days on which the House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under it.

(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an order or regulation which is required by this Act to be approved in draft by resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas or to an order under section 199(8).

(5) Other than an order under section 7, the Minister may by order, amend or revoke any order under this Act including an order made under this subsection.

(6)(a) The Minister may by direction amend or revoke a direction given by him or her under this Act (including a direction under this subsection).

(b) A person to whom a direction is given under this Act shall comply with that direction.

(7) This section does not apply to a provisional order under section 72(1).

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E8

Power pursuant to subs. (2) exercised (1.01.2024) by Local Government Rates (Financial Procedures) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 696 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 1(2).

E9

Power pursuant to section exercised (13.09.2023) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Security Allowance for Local Authority Members) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 449 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 2.

E10

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.08.2023) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Allowance for Maternity - Related Administrative Support) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 404 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 2.

E11

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), in effect as per reg. 2.

E12

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), in effect as per reg. 2.

E13

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.09.2015) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 447 of 2015).

E14

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.08.2015) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 363 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E15

Power pursuant to section exercised (29.07.2015) by Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 446 of 2015).

E16

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.03.2015) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 109 of 2015).

E17

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E18

Power pursuant to section exercised (18.12.2014) by Local Government (Appointment of Chief Executive) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 589 of 2014).

E19

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2014) by Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 314 of 2014).

E20

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 234 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E21

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in Respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 231 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E22

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E23

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government Act 2001 (section 230) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 447 of 2013).

E24

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 70 of 2014).

E25

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 69 of 2014).

E26

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 68 of 2014).

E27

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 67 of 2014).

E28

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 66 of 2014).

E29

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 65 of 2014).

E30

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 64 of 2014).

E31

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 63 of 2014).

E32

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 62 of 2014).

E33

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 61 of 2014).

E34

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 60 of 2014).

E35

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 59 of 2014).

E36

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 58 of 2014).

E37

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 57 of 2014).

E38

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 56 of 2014).

E39

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 55 of 2014).

E40

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 54 of 2014).

E41

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 53 of 2014).

E42

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 52 of 2014).

E43

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 51 of 2014).

E44

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 50 of 2014).

E45

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 49 of 2014).

E46

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 47 of 2014).

E47

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 46 of 2014).

E48

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 45 of 2014).

E49

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 44 of 2014).

E50

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Cork Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 43 of 2014).

E51

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 42 of 2014).

E52

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 41 of 2014).

E53

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 40 of 2014).

E54

Power pursuant to section exercised (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013).

E55

Power pursuant to section exercised (25.11.2013) by Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 457 of 2013).

E56

Power pursuant to section exercised (25.11.2013) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 456 of 2013).

E57

Power pursuant to section exercised (13.02.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 50 of 2012).

E58

Power pursuant to section exercised (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts Ratepayer Plebiscite) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 166 of 2007).

E59

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2006) by Local Government Act 2001 (Bye-Laws) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 362 of 2006).

E60

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.08.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 274 of 2003).

E61

Power pursuant to section exercised (6.06.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 281 of 2002), as amended (23.07.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 378 of 2002) and as amended (11.07.2003) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 302 of 2003) and as amended (19.12.2006) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 674 of 2006).

E62

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.09.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (County Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 214 of 2002).

E63

Power pursuant to section exercised (17.07.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (Meetings) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 66 of 2002).

E64

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 590 of 2001).

E65

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (10.11.2017) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 494 of 2017); revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 2.

E66

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 2.

E67

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 235 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), reg. 10, in effect as per reg. 2.

E68

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 552 of 2001), as amended (6.06.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 281 of 2002), reg. 2 and as amended (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 235 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), reg. 10, in effect as per reg. 2.

E69

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004); revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E70

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E71

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (23.10.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 406 of 2012); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(c).

E72

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (15.05.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 157 of 2012); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(b).

E73

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (11.11.2011) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 573 of 2011); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(a).

E74

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (5.02.2010) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 37 of 2010); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 3.

E75

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2008) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E76

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2007) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 668 of 2006); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 3.

E77

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (28.02.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

E78

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (12.02.2003) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 47 of 2003); revoked (11.11.2011) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 573 of 2011), reg. 4.

E79

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

E80

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 5

Repeals, revocation and amendment of enactments.

5

5.—(1) Each Act specified in the first and second columns of Part 1 of Schedule 3 is repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Part opposite the references in the first and second columns.

(2) Each order specified in the first and second columns of Part 2 of Schedule 3 is revoked to the extent specified in the third column of that Part opposite the references in the first and second columns.

(3) Each Act specified in the first and second columns of Schedule 4 is amended in the manner stated in the third column of that Schedule opposite the references in the first and second columns.

Section 6

Savers.

6

6.—The repeal or revocation by this Act of a provision of any enactment which is applied by a provision of any other enactment not so repealed or revoked, shall not affect such application and accordingly the first-mentioned provision continues to apply and have effect for the purposes of such application.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E81

Notwithstanding the repeal of Part IV of the Local Government Act 1946 by this Act, Part IV continues to apply and shall be deemed always to have applied in relation to an application for a bridge order that was made to the Minister before 31 December 2001 and the bridge order made after that date by the Minister pursuant to such an application (10.04.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (8/2003), s. 2(1) and (2), commenced on enactment.

Section 7

Commencement.

7

7.—This Act (except Part 2, section 9 of which provides for an establishment day order in respect of that Part, F11[and except section 161, the coming into operation of which is provided for in that section]) shall come into operation on such day or days as, by order or orders made by the Minister, may be fixed therefor either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions and for the repeal, revocation and amendment effected by section 5 of different enactments or of different provisions of those enactments.

Annotations

Amendments:

F11

Substituted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E82

A table showing commencement information ordered by section is available at https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/isbc/2001_37.html#commencement.

E83

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2019) by Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 24 of 2019).

2. The 31st day of January 2019 is appointed to be the day on which the following provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001) shall come into operation:

(a) subsection (1) of section 5 and Part 1 of Schedule 3 in so far as they effect the repeal of—

(i) sections 76, 77, 78 and 79 of the Local Government Act 1946 (No. 24 of 1946),

(ii) section 53 of the Local Government Act 1955 (No. 9 of 1955), and

(iii) section 67 of the Local Government Act 1994 (No. 8 of 1994); and

(b) sections 189, 190, 192 and 193, and subsections (1) and (2) of section 194.

E84

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2014) by Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 37 of 2014).

2. The 30th day of January 2014 is appointed as the day on which the following provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001) come into operation:

(a) to the extent specified in the Schedule to this Order, the repeal provided for by section 5(1) and Part 1 of Schedule 3;

(b) section 23.

SCHEDULE

NUMBER AND YEAR

SHORT TITLE

EXTENT OF REPEAL

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act 1994

Section 24.

E85

Power pursuant to section exercised (27.11.2013) by Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 446 of 2013).

2. The 27th day of November 2013 is fixed as the day on which section 230 of the Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001) comes into operation.

E86

Power pursuant to section exercised (7.09.2011) by Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 447 of 2011).

2. The 7th day of September 2011 is appointed as the day upon which sections 188, 191 and 194 (3) (inserted by section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (No. 20 of 2011)) of the Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001) shall come into operation.

E87

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2006) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 361 of 2006).

2. Part 19 of the Local Government Act, 2001, shall come into operation on 10 July 2006.

3. Section 5(1) of and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Local Government Act 2001 shall come into operation on 10 July 2006 to the extent specified in the Schedule to this Order.

Article 3

Schedule

REPEALS

Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854

Sections 78 to 88

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act 1994

Part VII

E88

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.05.2004, 21.05.2004 and 1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 217 of 2004).

3. On 19th May 2004 section 5(1) of and Part I of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation for the purposes of the repeal of section 21 of the Local Government Act 1955 (No. 9 of 1955) and for the purposes of the repeal of section 25 (other than subsection (6) of that section) of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act 1974 (No. 8 of 1974).

4. On 21 May 2004 section 169 (other than subsection (4)(a)(ii) and (4)(b)(ii) of that section), and references to a code of conduct in sections 166(1), 167(2), 170(1) and 174(6) of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

5. On 1 January 2005 subsection (4)(a)(ii) and (4)(b)(ii) of section 169 and section 171(1)(b) of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

E89

Power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002, 1.01.2003 and 1.01.2004) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 5) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 507 of 2002).

3. On 14 November, 2002 Parts 12 (insofar as it has not already been commenced) and 21 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

4. On 14 November, 2002 paragraph 5 of Schedule 10 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

5. On 14 November, 2002 section 5(1) of and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part I of the Schedule to this Order.

6. On 14 November, 2002 section 5(2) of and Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part 2 of the Schedule to this Order.

7. On 14 November, 2002 section 5(3) of and Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation for the purpose of

(a) the amendment to the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 in the manner stated in column 3 of Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001,

(b) the amendments to the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978 in the manner stated in column 3 of Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001,

(c) the amendment to the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997 in the manner stated in column 3 of Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001.

8. On 14 November, 2002 section 231 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

9. On 1 January, 2003 section 135 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

10. On 1 January, 2004 section 1(4) of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

SCHEDULE

PART 1

Acts Repealed

Session and Chapter or Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

1

2

3

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854

Section 59.

30 & 31 Vict. c. 46

County Treasurers (Ireland) Act, 1867

The whole Act.

34 & 35 Vict. c. 109

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871

Section 18.

35 & 36 Vict. c. 69

Local Government Board (Ireland) Act, 1872

Section 12.

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

Section 83(12).

2 Edw. 7. c. 38

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902

Sections 21 and 22.

No. 5 of 1925

Local Government Act 1925

Section 86.

No. 1 of 1929

Cork City Management Act, 1929

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

No. 27 of 1930

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930

Sections 54(2), 61, 62 and 95.

No. 35 of 1934

Limerick City Management Act, 1934

Sections 16(2), 23 and 24.

No. 55 of 1936

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1936

Sections 2 and 3.

No. 3 (Private) 1937

Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

No. 36 of 1937

Local Government (Nomination of Presidential Candidates) Act, 1937

The whole Act.

No. 25 of 1939

Waterford City Management Act, 1939

Sections 15(2), 22 and 23.

No. 12 of 1940

County Management Act, 1940

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

No. 5 of 1941

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1941

Sections 14 and 15.

No. 23 of 1941

Local Government Act, 1941

Part IV and sections 68, 69 and 77.

No. 24 of 1946

Local Government Act, 1946

Sections 7 to 9, 15 to 17, 22, 26 and 27, 34, 64 and 65, 80 and 81.

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

Sections 48 and 61.

No. 12 of 1955

City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

No. 40 of 1960

Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960

Part II.

No. 35 of 1978

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

Sections 11, 12 and 14.

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act, 1994

Section 44.

No. 29 of 1997

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997

Sections 8, 13 and 16.

PART 2

ORDERS REVOKED

Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Revocation

1898 No. 1120

Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898

The whole Order insofar as it is not already revoked.

1899 No. 44

Local Government (Adaptation of Irish Enactments) Order, 1899

Article 43.

E90

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2004) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 4) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 250 of 2002).

2. On 1 January, 2004 Chapter 5 of Part 9 of the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation.

3. On 1 January, 2004 section 5(1) of and Schedule 3 to the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation for the purposes of the repeal of the Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1934 (No. 44 of 1934).

E91

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 218 of 2002).

3. On 1 January 2003, Part 15 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation other than section 169 and any reference to a code of conduct in sections 166(1), 167(2), 170(1), 171(1)(b), and 174(6).

E92

Power pursuant to section exercised (16.05.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 213 of 2002).

2. Sections 109 and 110 of the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation on the 16th day of May 2002.

E93

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.05.2002, 17.07.2002, 1.05.2004, 11.03.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 65 of 2002).

3. On 1 May 2002, section 19 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation; and on that date also section 5(1) of and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to that Act shall come into operation for the purposes of the repeal of section 11 of the Local Government Act, 1994, (No. 8 of 1994).

4. (a) On 17 July 2002, Part 6 and Part 7 of the Act of 2001 and Schedule 10 to that Act, other than paragraph 3(3) and paragraph 5 of that Schedule, shall come into operation.

(b) On 1 May 2004, paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 10 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation.

5. On 17 July 2002, section 5(1) of and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part 1 of the Schedule to this Order.

6. On 17 July 2002, section 5(2) of and Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part 2 of the Schedule to this Order.

7. On 11 March 2002, section 5(1) of and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001 shall come into operation for the purposes of the repeal of section 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955 ( No. 12 of 1955), insofar as that section is not already repealed.

SCHEDULE

Part 1

Acts Repealed

Article 5

Secssion and Chapter or Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

1

2

3

3 & 4 Vict. c. 108

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

10 & 11 Vict. c. 16

Commissioners Clauses Act, 1847

The whole Act insofar as it is not already repealed.

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854

Sections 27 and 28

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898.

Sections 23(2) and 77.

2 Edw. 7. c. 38

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902

Sections 14 and 15.

No. 5 of 1925

Local Government Act, 1925

Sections 58 and 64.

No. 1 of 1929

Cork City Management Act, 1929

Section 7.

No. 27 of 1930

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930

Sections 31 and 37.

No. 35 of 1934

Limerick City Management Act, 1934

Sections 5(3) and 9.

No. 3 (Private) 1937

Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937

Sections 15 and 33.

No. 25 of 1939

Waterford City Management Act, 1939

Sections 4(3) and 8(6).

No. 12 of 1940

County Management Act, 1940

Section 18.

No. 23 of 1941

Local Government Act, 1941

Section 41.

No. 24 of 1946

Local Government Act, 1946

Sections 62, 63 and 66.

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

Section 60.

No. 7 of 1985

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985

Sections 9, 25 and 27 and the Fifth Schedule.

No. 11 of 1991

Local Government Act, 1991

Part VI.

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act, 1994

Part V.

Part 2

Orders Revoked

Article 6

Year and Number

Short Title

Extent of Revocation

1

2

3

1898 No. 1120

Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898

Articles 36 and 38 of the Schedule to the Order.

E94

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002 and unspecified dates) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 588 of 2001).

3. On 1 January, 2002, subsections (2), (3) and (5) of section 1 of the Act of 2001, shall come into operation.

4. On 1 January, 2002, section 5(1) of and Part I of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part 1 of the Schedule to this Order.

5. On 1 January, 2002, section 5(2) of and Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation to the extent specified in Part 2 of the Schedule to this Order.

6. On 1 January, 2002, section 5(3) of and Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation for the purpose of

(a) the amendment to the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 (No. 33 of 1998) in the manner stated in column 3 of Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001, and

(b) the amendments to the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (No. 30 of 2000) in the manner stated in column 3 of Schedule 4 to the Act of 2001.

7. On 1 January, 2002, Part 3, other than sections 13(1)(i), 14, 19 and 22; Part 4, other than section 23; Part 5, other than Chapter 3; Part 9, other than Chapter 5; Part 10; sections 112 and 113(1); Part 13; Part 14, other than section 135; Part 16; section 197; Part 22, other than sections 223, 230 and 231; Part 24 insofar as not already commenced, of the Act of 2001, shall come into operation.

8. Section 13(1)(i) of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation and have effect for the purposes of the local elections in the year 2004 and from then on. Section 14 of the Act of 2001 shall come into operation and have effect on and from the ordinary day of retirement of members next after the enactment of the Act of 2001.

9. On 1 January, 2002, Schedules 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15 to the Act of 2001, shall come into operation.

SCHEDULE

Part 1

Acts Repealed

Secssion and Chapter or Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

1

2

3

6 & 7 Will. 4 c. 116

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836

Sections 35, 43, 44, 46, 54, 58, 66 to 68, 78, 82, 86, 108, 126 and 178 to 180 and Schedule (R).

3 & 4 Vict. c. 108

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840

The whole Act other than sections 10, 92 and 102.

3 & 4 Vict. c. 109

Counties and Boroughs (Ireland) Act, 1840

The whole Act.

6 & 7 Vict. c. 93

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1843

The whole Act.

7 & 8 Vict. c. 106

County Dublin Grand Jury Act, 1844

Sections 40 and 110.

10 & 11 Vict. c. 16

Commissioners Clauses Act, 1847

Sections 53, 56 to 59.

10 & 11 Vict. c. 34

Towns Improvement Clauses Act, 1847

The whole Act.

16 & 17 Vict. c. 136

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1853

Section 9.

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854

Section 38, 39, 41, 55, 58, 69, 72, 74 to 76 and 89.

23 & 24 Vict. c. 16

Municipal Corporations Mortgages etc. Act, 1860

The whole Act.

34 & 35 Vict. c. 109

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871

Section 25.

41 & 42 Vict. c. 52

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878

Sections 7, 200, 201 and 277.

45 & 46 Vict. c. 50

Municipal Corporations Act, 1882

The whole Act.

47 & 48 Vict. c. 70

Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884

The whole Act.

53 & 54 Vict. c. 59

Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890

Section 38.

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

Sections 1, 4, 6(b), 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 21, 22, 27, 31, 33, 35, 40, 41, 48 to 50, 58, 59, 68, 72, 78, 81, 82, 84, 86, 100 and 108 and the Second and Third Schedules.

63 & 64 Vict. c. 63

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1900

Section 9.

2 Edw. 7. c. 38

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902

Sections 6 and 8.

9 Edw. 7. c. 47

Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909

The whole Act.

No. 13 of 1924

Local Government (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 1924

The whole Act.

No. 5 of 1925

Local Government Act, 1925

Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 16, 70, 73, 74, 81 and the First Schedule.

No. 1 of 1929

Cork City Management Act, 1929

The whole Act other than sections 1, 7, 11(2), 16 and 23.

No. 27 of 1930

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930

Sections 7, 17 to 19, 30, 38 to 41, 45, 51, 53, 54(1), 55 to 57, 59, 60, 67, 80 and 103 and the First Schedule.

No. 35 of 1934

Limerick City Management Act, 1934

Sections 2 to 4, 5(1) and (2), 11 to 14, 16(1), 17 to 19, 21, 22, 31 to 34, 39, 40 and the First Schedule.

No. 55 of 1936

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1936

Section 6.

No. 3 (Private) 1937

Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937

The whole Act other than sections 1, 2, 9, 15, 33 and 39.

No. 25 of 1939

No. 25 of 1939

Sections 2, 3, 4(1) and (2), 10 to 13, 15(1), 16 to 18, 20, 21, 30 to 32 and 37 to 39.

No. 12 of 1940

County Management Act, 1940

The whole Act other than sections 1, 2, 18, 21, 39 and 41.

No. 5 of 1941

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1941

Sections 7, 8, 10 to 12, 22, 23 and 26.

No. 15 of 1941

Local Officers and Servants (Dublin) Act, 1941

The whole Act.

No. 23 of 1941

Local Government Act, 1941

Part II (insofar as it is not already repealed), Part III (insofar as it is not already repealed and other than section 41), section 67, Part VIII (insofar as it is not already repealed) and sections 76, 78, and 90.

No. 13 of 1942

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1942

The whole Act.

No. 8 of 1945

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 30 of 1945

Local Authorities (Acceptance of Gifts) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 24 of 1946

Local Government Act, 1946

Section 25, Part III (insofar as it is not already repealed) and Part IV and sections 70, 71, 73, 82, 83, 95 and 98.

No. 24 of 1950

Limerick City Management Act, 1950

The whole Act.

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

Chapter 1 of Part II other than sections 21 and 24(2), sections 31 to 33, 40, 41, 51, 54, 58, 59, 65 and Part 1 of the Second Schedule.

No. 12 of 1955

City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955

Sections 2, 3, section 4 (except insofar as it relates to a planning function within the meaning of section 44 of the Local Government Act, 1991 ), sections 5, 6, 12, 13, 15 to 17, 19 and 20.

No. 9 of 1958

Local Government Act, 1958

The whole Act.

No. 10 of 1959

Local Government Act, 1959

The whole Act.

No. 40 of 1960

Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960

Sections 11 and 12.

No. 3 of 1962

Road Fund (Grants) (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1962

The whole Act.

No. 8 of 1965

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1965

The whole Act.

No. 21 of 1966

Housing Act, 1966

Sections 85, 87 and 88.

No. 6 of 1968

Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968

The whole Act.

No. 32 of 1972

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1972

The whole Act.

No. 35 of 1978

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

Section 13.

No. 21 of 1983

Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983

Section 9.

No. 7 of 1985

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985

Sections 5 to 7, Part III (insofar as it is not already repealed and other than section 9) and sections 19 to 23, and the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Schedules.

No. 3 of 1986

Canals Act, 1986

Section 15.

No. 28 of 1988

No. 28 of 1988

Section 27.

No. 11 of 1991

Local Government Act, 1991

Parts II to IV and sections 41, 42 and 46 to 50, 53 and 54(a).

No. 31 of 1993

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1993

Part II and sections 39 and 40.

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act, 1994

Part II other than section 11, Part III other than section 24, Part IV, Part VI and section 46 and Parts IX and X, sections 61 and 64 to 66 and the Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules.

No. 16 of 1998

Local Government Act, 1998

Sections 9 and 10.

No. 25 of 2000

Local Government Act, 2000

The whole Act.

Part 2

Orders Revoked

Year and Number

Short Title

Extent of Revocation

1

2

3

1898 No. 1120

Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898

Articles 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 24, 30, 33, 41, 43 to 46 of the Schedule to the Order.

1899 No. 44

Local Government (Adaptation of Irish Enactments) Order, 1899

Articles 4 to 7, 13, 15 to 17, 19 to 36, 42, 44 and 45.

E95

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order, 2001 (S.I. No. 551 of 2001).

2. On the 1st day of January, 2002, section 142 of the Local Government Act, 2001, shall come into operation.

3. On the 1st day of January, 2002, section 51 of the Local Government Act, 1991 (No. 11 of 1991) shall be repealed.

E96

Power pursuant to section exercised (9.10.2001 and 1.01.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 458 of 2001).

2. On the 9th day of October, 2001, subsections (1), (6) and (7) of section 1 and sections 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 247 of the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation.

3. On the 9th day of October, 2001 section 5(1) of, and Part 1 of Schedule 3 to, the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation to the extent specified in the Schedule to this Order.

4. On the 1st day of January, 2002, Part 23 of the Local Government Act, 2001 shall come into operation.

SCHEDULE

Repeals

Number

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

No. 13 of 1937

Local Authorities (Electrical Employees) Act, 1937

The whole Act.

No. 22 of 1940

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) Act, 1940

The whole Act.

No. 34 of 1940

Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1940

The whole Act.

No. 13 of 1945

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) (Amendment) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

Section 62.

No. 12 of 1955

City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955

Section 7 and sections 9 and 11 insofar as they apply to an estimates committee.

Section 8

Expenses.

8

8.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

PART 2

Local Government Areas and Local Authorities

Section 9

Establishment day.

9

9.—The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E97

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Establishment Day) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 591 of 2001).

Section 10

Local government areas.

10

F12[10.(1) The State has local government areas in accordance with this section.

(2) The State stands divided into local government areas to be known as

(a) counties,

(b) cities, and

(c) cities and counties,

(each of which shall be known as a county, a city or a city and county as provided for and set out in columns 1 of Parts 1, 2 and 3, respectively, of Schedule 5.

(3)(a) Subject to section 10 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 F13[and section 8 of the Local Government Act 2019], the boundaries of a county referred to in subsection (2) are the boundaries of the corresponding county as existing immediately before 1 January 2002.

(b) Subject to section 10 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 F13[and section 8 of the Local Government Act 2019], the boundaries of a city referred to in subsection (2) are the boundaries of the corresponding county borough as existing immediately before 1 January 2002.

(4) For the purposes of this section and subject to section 11(2) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, all maps showing such boundaries prepared by the Chief Boundary Surveyor under the Survey (Ireland) Acts 1825 to 1870, or by the Commissioner of Valuation or otherwise in accordance with law continue to have all such force and effect as they had immediately before 1 January 2002.

(5) This section is without prejudice to

(a) section 227,

F13[(aa) Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2019]

(b) Part V of the Local Government Act 1991, and

(c) Part 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

(6) This section is without prejudice to

(a) the continued use of the description city in relation to Kilkenny, to the extent that that description was used before 1 January 2002 and is not otherwise inconsistent with this Act,

(b) the continued use of the description city in relation to Limerick and to Waterford, to the extent that each of those descriptions was used before the 2014 establishment day and is not otherwise inconsistent with this Act.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F12

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 12(1) and 25(4)(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F13

Inserted (31.01.2019) by Local Government Act 2019 (1/2019), s. 35(a), S.I. No. 20 of 2019.

Modifications (not altering text):

C10

Alternate commencement date for amendments to local government areas by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(a), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

(a) the local government areas provided for by section 10 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 12,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Section 11

Establishment, titles and administrative areas of local authorities and consequential provisions.

11

11.F14[(1) On and from the 2014 establishment day and for the purposes of local government, the areas referred to in subsection (2) of section 10 (as amended by section 12(1) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) shall each have a local authority as provided for in this section.

(2) With effect from the 2014 establishment day

(a) for each county set out in Part 1 of Schedule 5 (as amended by section 12(2) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014)

(i) in the case of Tipperary, there stands established, under this section, and

(ii) in every other case there continues to stand established under this section,

a body for the purposes of local government,

(b) for each city set out in Part 2 of Schedule 5 (as so amended) there continues to stand established under this section a body for the purposes of local government, and

(c) for each city and county set out in Part 3 of Schedule 5 (as so amended) there stands established under section 13(1) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 a body for the purposes of local government,

and each such body is a local authority and each such county, city, or city and county, as the case may be, is its administrative area.

(3) The local authorities referred to in subsection (2) are the primary units of local government and shall be known by

(a) in the case of a county set out in Part 1 of Schedule 5

(i) in the Irish language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 1 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that county,

(ii) in the English language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 2 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that county,

(b) in the case of a city set out in Part 2 of Schedule 5

(i) in the Irish language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 1 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that city,

(ii) in the English language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 2 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that city,

and

(c) in the case of a city and county set out in Part 3 of Schedule 5

(i) in the Irish language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 1 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that city and county,

(ii) in the English language, the name of the local authority concerned as set out in column 2 of Chapter 2 of that Part opposite the mention in column 1 of that city and county.]

(4) F15[]

(5) F14[(a) In respect of a local authority to which subsection (3) relates, each member (being directly elected or co-opted in accordance with this Act) shall be known as a councillor and, without prejudice to sections 22B and 22C, collectively shall comprise the elected council of the local authority.]

(b) Each local authority shall have a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach elected in accordance with Part 5.

F14[(6) For the purposes of functions conferred on it by or under this or any other enactment

(a) a county council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area,

(b) a city council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area,

(c) a city and county council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area.]

(7) A local authority to which F14[subsection (3)] relates shall—

(a) continue to be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold, manage, maintain and dispose of land or any interest in land,

(b) have a seal which shall be judicially noticed and every document claiming to be an instrument made by it and to be sealed with its seal (claiming to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (8)) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be that instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown.

(8) The seal referred to in subsection (7)(b) shall be authenticated by the signature of the Cathaoirleach or of an employee of the authority nominated in writing for that purpose by the F16[chief executive] following consultation with the Cathaoirleach.

(9) Any seal used immediately before the establishment day by a local authority to which this section relates continues to have all such force and effect as it had immediately before that day.

(10) Notwithstanding subsection (9), at any time after the establishment day a local authority to which this section relates may provide itself with a new seal which shall be judicially noticed and subsection (7) regarding the evidential value of the seal applies also to such seal.

(11) Notwithstanding the repeal of enactments relating to its establishment and constitution, F14[a county council or county borough corporation in being immediately before the establishment day], continue in being but subject to the provisions of this Act applying and having effect.

F17[(11A) In respect of a dissolved authority, within the meaning of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and with effect from the commencement of the provision under that Act for such dissolution of the authority, subsection (11) ceases to have effect in respect of that authority.]

(12) Subsection (11) applies and has effect in relation to the continuation in being of the bodies mentioned in that subsection notwithstanding any change brought about by this Act in the corporate name of any such body or in its corporate status or constitution and the functions vested by any enactment in such body shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, continue to stand so vested.

(13) A reference in any other enactment or other document to a local authority (being a local authority which continues to stand established) by its name applying before it was changed under this Act shall be read as a reference to that body as renamed.

(14) All acts done and decisions made before the establishment day by a local authority (which continues to stand established under this section), whether by resolution, F16[chief executives order] or otherwise, shall subject to this Act continue to have all such force and effect as they had immediately before that day.

(15) (a) The land and other property and all rights related thereto which was, before the establishment day, vested in or held by a local authority which continues to stand established under this section continues, subject to the provisions of this Act, to be so vested or held by that authority for the same estate, right, title or interest and may be disposed of in accordance with Part 16.

(b) Paragraph (a) is without prejudice to the generality of subsection (14).

(16) Subject to this Act, royal charters and letters patent relating to local authorities shall continue to apply for ceremonial and related purposes in accordance with local civic tradition but shall otherwise cease to have effect.

F17[(16A) Notwithstanding the dissolution of certain local authorities by Part 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 with effect from the 2014 establishment day or the dissolution of town councils by Chapter 2 of Part 3 of that Act with effect from the transfer date, subsection (16) continues to apply to any city or town concerned.]

(17)(a) This section is without prejudice to section 73 F14[or Part 21].

(b) Subsection (6) is without prejudice to Part 10.

Annotations

Amendments:

F14

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 14(a), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (i), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F15

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 14(b) and 25(4)(c)(i), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F16

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 19-20, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F17

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 14(g) , (h) and 25(4)(c)(ii), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C11

Application of subs. (6) restricted (21.12.2020) by Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (23/2020), s. 133(3), S.I. No. 662 of 2020.

Prescribing competent authority for purposes of Regulations of 2013

133. ...

(3) Where a competent authority prescribed by the Minister is a local authority, then notwithstanding section 11 (6) of the Local Government Act 2001, the competent authority shall have jurisdiction throughout the administrative areas of all local authorities for the purposes of carrying out its functions with respect to market surveillance under the Regulations of 2013.

...

C12

Alternate commencement date for amendments to section by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 14, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(b), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(b) the amendments by section 14 to section 11 of the Principal Act shall have effect,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

PART 3

Local Authority Membership

Section 12

Eligibility for local authority membership.

12

12.—Subject to section 14 and to the disqualifications set out in F18[sections 13 and 13A] and to the provisions of section 19 relating to co-option, a person is eligible for election or co-option to, and membership of, a local authority, if he or she is a citizen of Ireland or is ordinarily resident in the State and has or will attain the age of 18 years—

(a) on or before polling day at a local election, or

(b) if there is no poll, the latest day for receiving nominations at the election, or on or before the day of co-option to a local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F18

Substituted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 13

Disqualifications from local authority membership.

13

13.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a member of a local authority if he or she—

(a) is a member of the Commission of the European Community, or

(b) is a representative in the European Parliament, or

(c) is a Judge, Advocate General or Registrar of the Court of Justice of the European Community, or

(d) is a member of the Court of Auditors of the European Community, or

(e) is a Minister of the Government or a Minister of State or the chairman of Dáil Éireann (An Ceann Comhairle), or the chairman of Seanad Éireann, or

(f) is appointed under the Constitution as a Judge or as the Comptroller and Auditor General, or

(g) is a member of the Garda Síochána or a wholetime member of the Defence Forces as defined in section 11(4)(b) of the Electoral Act, 1992, or

(h) is a civil servant who is not by terms of employment expressly permitted to be a member of a local authority, or

F19[(i) is a person employed by a local authority, the Health Service Executive or the Child and Family Agency and is not the holder of a class, description or grade of employment designated by order under section 161(1)(b) or deemed to have been made under that section, or]

F20[(ii) is a person employed by the Health Service Executive and is at a grade or of a description of employment designated by order of the Minister for Health and Children, or]

(j) is undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for any term exceeding 6 months imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State, or

(k) fails to pay any sum or any portion of any sum charged or surcharged, by an auditor of the accounts of any local authority, upon or against that person, or

(l) fails to comply with a final judgement, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, for payment of money due to any local authority, or

(m) is convicted of, or has had a conviction confirmed on appeal for, an offence relating to any of the following:

(i) fraudulent or dishonest dealings affecting a local authority;

(ii) corrupt practice;

(iii) acting when disqualified.

(2)(a) A disqualification arising under subsection (1)(k) commences—

(i) where no appeal is taken, on the expiration of the time limit for an appeal, or

(ii) where an appeal is taken to the Minister or the High Court, on the expiration of one month from the date of an order confirming the charge or surcharge,

and the disqualification shall be for 5 years from the date of its commencement.

(b) A disqualification arising under subsection (1)(l) comes into effect on the seventh day after the last day for compliance with the relevant final judgement, order or decree and the disqualification shall be for 5 years from such last day.

(c) A disqualification arising under subsection (1)(m) commences—

(i) where no appeal is taken against the conviction, when the time limit for taking an appeal has passed, or

(ii) where an appeal is taken against the conviction and the appeal is disallowed, one month from the determination of the appeal,

and the disqualification shall be for 5 years from the date of conviction or determination of the appeal, as the case may be.

(3) Nothing in this section operates to prejudice any disqualification referred to in section 182 or in section 20 of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999, or in any other enactment.

Annotations

Amendments:

F19

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 part 15 item 2, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F20

Inserted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 6 part 21 item 2, S.I. No. 887 of 2004, art. 2(i).

Section 13A

F21[Application of disqualification to members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

13A

13A.(1) A person who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a member of, a local authority.

(2) In respect of local elections to be held in the year 2004 and thereafter, section 13(1) shall be read as if the following were substituted for paragraph (e):

"(e) is a member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann, or".]

Annotations

Amendments:

F21

Inserted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003) (17/2003), s. 2(1), commenced on enactment, subject to transitional provision in subs. (2).

Section 14

Prohibition on multiple membership of local authorities.

14

F22[14. A person shall not hold membership simultaneously of more than one local authority.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F22

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 21, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 15

Offence to act when disqualified.

15

15.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he or she knowingly acts as a member of a local authority when disqualified, or knowingly votes when prohibited by or under any enactment.

F23[(1A) Subsection (1) applies to a member of a local authority in performing functions as a municipal district member in the same manner as it applies to a member of a local authority in performing functions as a member of a local authority or a member of the council of a local authority.]

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 for each such offence.

(3) An offence under this section may be prosecuted by a local government elector or a local authority.

(4) This section is without prejudice to any other disqualification or penalty arising out of the actions of the person concerned.

Annotations

Amendments:

F23

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 22, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E98

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 16

Cesser of membership.

16

16.—(1) A person ceases to be a member of a local authority and a casual vacancy arises in its membership immediately upon he or she becoming disqualified from membership of a local authority under F24[sections 13, 13A] or 182, or under section 20 of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999 F25[, or upon an order under subsection (4)(b) of section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for the forfeiture of the office of the person as a member of the local authority taking effect under subsection (6) of that section].

(2) When a person ceases to be a member of a local authority under this section he or she also ceases to be a member of any body to which he or she—

(a) was elected, nominated or appointed by a local authority, or

(b) is a member by virtue of being a member of a local authority.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall be read so as to affect the validity of anything previously done by the person while a member of the local authority or of the body concerned.

(4) A person to whom a disqualification referred to in subsection (1) applies is so disqualified from being or becoming a member of any committee, joint committee or joint body.

Annotations

Amendments:

F24

Substituted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

F25

Inserted (30.07.2018) by Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 (9/2018), s. 33, S.I. No. 298 of 2018.

Section 17

Term of office.

17

17.—(1) In this section—

“incoming members” has the meaning given in subsection (3)(b);

“ordinary day of retirement”, in relation to the outgoing members of a local authority, means the seventh day—

(a) after the polling day at the election of the incoming members of the local authority, or

(b) where the poll for any local electoral area of the local authority or for any polling station at the election of incoming members of the local authority is for any reason countermanded, interrupted or adjourned, after the day on which the poll is completed or the fresh poll is held.

(2) Subject to this Act, the members of a local authority hold office until the next ordinary day of retirement and retire together on that day as provided for by this section.

(3) On the ordinary day of retirement—

(a) each of the outgoing members of the local authority retires, and

(b) each person elected at the election comes into office as a member of the local authority (in this section collectively referred to as the “incoming members”).

(4) The term of office of a member of a local authority continues until the next ordinary day of retirement of members of the local authority, unless such member sooner dies, resigns, becomes disqualified, is removed from office or otherwise ceases to be a member of the local authority.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C13

Certain references to “ordinary day of retirement” construed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(3), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. ...

(3) For the purposes of the local elections held in 2014, the definition of “ordinary day of retirement” in section 17(1) of the Principal Act shall be read—

(a) in the case of every local authority (including a local authority that is being dissolved under section 17)—

(i) as if the reference in that definition to the seventh day after the polling day at the election of the incoming members of the local authority were a reference to the 2014 establishment day, and

(ii) as if the reference to the seventh day after the date provided for the purposes of paragraph (b) of that definition were a reference to the 2014 establishment day or the seventh day after the day on which the poll is completed or the fresh poll held, whichever is the later,

and

(b) in the case of a local authority that is being dissolved under section 24, as if that definition referred to the transfer date and to no other day referred to in that definition.

...

Section 18

Resignation from membership.

18

18.—(1) A member of a local authority may resign from membership by notice in writing signed by him or her and delivered to the principal offices of the local authority.

(2) A person ceases to be a member of the local authority—

(a) on the date specified in the notice as the resignation date, or

(b) where no date is specified, on receipt of the notice,

and accordingly a casual vacancy occurs in the membership of the local authority.

(3) A person who resigns from membership of a local authority under this section also ceases on such resignation to be a member of any body—

(a) to which he or she was elected, nominated or appointed by the local authority, or

(b) of which he or she is a member by virtue of being a member of the local authority.

(4) (a) F26[Subject to subsection (4A), a person] shall be deemed to have resigned from membership of a local authority where the person is absent from attendance at any meeting of the authority for a continuous period of 6 consecutive months (“the relevant period”) from the date (“the relevant date”) of his or her last attendance at a meeting of the authority.

(b) paragraph (a) does not apply where the absence was—

(i) due to illness, or

(ii) in good faith for another reason,

and which, in either case, is accepted by the local authority and approved by resolution under this paragraph before the end of the relevant period, in which case the period shall stand extended to 12 months from the relevant date.

(c) Where a resolution is passed under paragraph (b) and the continuous period of absence continues uninterrupted—

(i) due to illness, or

(ii) in good faith for another reason,

and, in either case, is accepted by the local authority and approved by resolution under this paragraph before the expiry of the relevant period as extended under paragraph (b), then the period shall stand extended to 18 months from the relevant date.

(d) A casual vacancy under this subsection occurs on the next day after—

(i) in the case of paragraph (a), the end of the relevant period,

(ii) in the case of paragraph (b), the end of the relevant period as extended under that paragraph, or

(iii) in the case of paragraph (c), the end of the relevant period as extended to 18 months under that paragraph.

F27[(4A) An absence referred to in subsection (4)(a) does not include an absence occasioned by a member of a local authority taking leave in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act 1994.]

F28[(5) In relation to a local authority, attendance as a member at a meeting of

(a) any committee or joint committee or joint body of the authority, or

(b) the municipal district members,

shall be deemed for the purposes of subsection (4) to be attendance at a meeting of the authority.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F26

Substituted (21.12.2022) by Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 (52/2022), s. 2(a)(i), commenced on enactment.

F27

Inserted (21.12.2022) by Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 (52/2022), s. 2(a)(ii), commenced on enactment.

F28

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 23, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 19

Casual vacancies.

19

19.—(1) A casual vacancy in the membership of a local authority occurs—

(a) where section 16(1) applies,

(b) upon the death or resignation (including deemed resignation by virtue of section 18(4)) of a member of a local authority,

F29[(c)  in such circumstances as are set out in articles 25, 28, 124 and 125 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995),]

(d) in such circumstances as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 27, or

(e) in such circumstances as are referred to in section 15(1) of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974.

(2) It is the duty of the meetings administrator to notify the members of the local authority in writing on becoming aware that a casual vacancy has or may have occurred.

(3) (a) A casual vacancy shall be filled by the co-option by the local authority of a person to fill the vacancy and except where paragraph (c) or (d) or (e) of subsection (1) apply, subject to such person being nominated by the same registered political party who nominated for election or co-option the member who caused the casual vacancy.

(b) Where the person causing the casual vacancy was a non-party candidate at his or her election to the local authority, the vacancy shall be filled by the co-option by the local authority of a person to fill the vacancy (except where paragraph (c) or (d) or (e) of subsection (1) apply) in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be set out in its standing orders.

(c) A local authority shall in making standing orders consider the inclusion of provisions for the purposes of paragraph (b).

(4) (a) A co-option shall be made, after due notice, at the next meeting of the local authority after the expiration of 14 days from the occurrence of the vacancy or as soon after the expiration of the 14 days as circumstances permit.

(b) In this subsection “due notice” means not less than 3 clear days’ notice given in writing to every member of the local authority.

(5) A person is not to be proposed at a meeting of the local authority for co-option without his or her prior written consent.

(6) A person co-opted to fill a casual vacancy shall be a member of the local authority until the next ordinary day of retirement of members of that local authority unless he or she sooner ceases to be a member.

Annotations

Amendments:

F29

Substituted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 19A

F30[Temporary absences

19A

19A.(1) Subject to subsection (9), a temporary absence in the membership of a local authority occurs where

(a) either the absence (including a proposed absence) of a member of a local authority

(i) is not a casual vacancy and is

(I) due to illness, or

(II) in good faith for another reason,

and which, in either case, is accepted by the local authority and approved by resolution under this paragraph, or

(ii) is occasioned by the member taking leave in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act 1994 ,

and

(b) such member notifies the meetings administrator that he or she wishes to have a temporary substitute F31[to perform the member’s functions during the absence].

(2) It is the duty of the meetings administrator to notify the members of the local authority in writing on becoming aware that a temporary absence has occurred and that a temporary substitute is to be co-opted.

(3) (a) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii), a temporary absence shall be filled by the co-option by the local authority of a person to fill the absence subject to such person being nominated by the same registered political party who nominated for election or co‑option the member who caused the temporary absence.

(ii) The local authority shall have regard to the preferred choice (if any) of the member causing the temporary absence as to the person who should be the temporary substitute.

(b) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii), where the member causing the temporary absence was a non-party candidate at his or her election to the local authority, the absence shall be filled by the co-option by the local authority of a person to fill the absence in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be set out in its standing orders.

(ii) The local authority shall have regard to the preferred choice (if any) of the member causing the temporary absence as to the person who should be the temporary substitute.

(c) A local authority shall in making standing orders consider the inclusion of provisions for the purposes of paragraph (b).

(4) (a) A co-option shall be made, after due notice, at the next meeting of the local authority after the expiration of 14 days from the occurrence of the temporary absence or as soon after the expiration of the 14 days as circumstances permit.

(b) In this subsection, "due notice" means not less than 3 clear days’ notice given in writing to every member of the local authority.

(5) A person is not to be proposed at a meeting of the local authority for co-option without his or her prior written consent.

(6) Subject to subsection (7), a person co-opted to fill a temporary absence shall be a member of the local authority until

(a) the member causing the temporary absence returns to office, or

(b) the term of office of the member causing the temporary absence expires,

whichever first occurs, unless the temporary substitute, for whatever reason, sooner ceases to be a member.

(7) Where the member causing the temporary absence ceases to be a member of the local authority by virtue of the operation of section 19, thereby causing a casual vacancy to occur, his or her temporary substitute (if any) shall cease to be a member of the local authority in his or her capacity as such substitute immediately upon the occurrence of such casual vacancy.

(8) Where

(a) the temporary substitute (including any successor temporary substitute arising from the operation of this subsection) of the member causing the temporary absence which gave rise to the temporary substitute ceases to be a member of the local authority by virtue of the operation of section 19, thereby causing a casual vacancy to occur, and

(b) such member causing the temporary absence continues to be a member of the local authority,

the casual vacancy referred to in paragraph (a) shall not be filled in accordance with section 19 but in accordance with this section as if the casual vacancy were a temporary absence of the member referred to in paragraph (b), and the other provisions of this section shall, with all necessary modifications, be construed accordingly.

(9) A member of a local authority who is a temporary substitute may not, in his or her capacity as such substitute, have a temporary substitute notwithstanding that he or she falls within paragraph (a) of subsection (1).

F31[(9A) The member causing the temporary absence shall not perform any functions as a member unless and until he or she returns to office.]

(10) In this section, "temporary substitute", in relation to a member of a local authority causing a temporary absence, means the person (if any) co-opted under subsection (3)(a) or (b) to fill the absence.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F30

Inserted (21.12.2022) by Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 (52/2022), s. 2(b), commenced on enactment.

F31

Inserted (13.10.2023) by Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 261(a), (b), commenced on enactment.

Section 20

Savers (Part 3).

20

20.F32[(1) The acts, decisions and proceedings of a local authority or of the municipal district members shall not be invalidated only because of a vacancy or vacancies in its membership or of the disqualification or want of qualification of any of its members.]

(2) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to the requirements of paragraph 11 of Schedule 10 in respect of the quorum for a meeting of a local authority.

(3) Any person who immediately before the establishment day is a member of a local authority shall, on and from such day, continue as such member subject to and in accordance with this Act.

(4) A person to whom subsection (3) applies and who is an alderman shall continue to bear that title until the next ordinary day of retirement after the commencement of this provision, or until his or her otherwise ceasing to be a member of the local authority, whichever is the earlier.

Annotations

Amendments:

F32

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 24, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 21

Number of members of local authorities, etc.

21

F33[21.(1) Subject to section 22, each county council, city council and city and county council consists of the number of members specified in Parts 1, 2 and 3, respectively, of Schedule 7 opposite the reference to the county council, city council or city and county council concerned.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph 11 of Schedule 10, where a provision of this Act provides that at least a specified proportion of the total number of members of a local authority or of the municipal district members is necessary in relation to the doing of any particular act, then in a case where such proportion consists of a whole number and a remainder, the whole number shall of itself be sufficient.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F33

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C14

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 4, in effect as per reg. 3.

Proportion of the total number of municipal district members necessary in relation to the doing of any particular act

4. The provisions of section 21(3) of the Act shall apply to the proportion of the total number of municipal district members of a local authority necessary in relation to the doing of any particular act, in relation to municipal district members for a municipal district, as if the reference to “the total number of members of a local authority” were a reference to “the total number of municipal district members”.

...

C15

Alternate commencement date for amendments to numbers of local authorities by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(c), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(c) the numbers of members of local authorities provided for in section 21 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 15,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Editorial Notes:

E99

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1) amended (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment; substituted as per F-note above.

Section 22

Alteration of number of members of local authority.

22

22.—(1) F34[(a) A county council, a city council or a city and county council may by resolution adopt a proposal (in this section referred to as a "proposal") for the alteration of the number of members of that council.]

(b) A proposal under paragraph (a) and a public notice under paragraph (d) shall specify the current number of members of the authority and the number by which it is proposed to be altered and whether by way of increase or decrease.

(c) It is necessary for the adoption of a proposal under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority vote in favour of the resolution.

(d) Before adopting a proposal the local authority shall invite submissions on it from the public by way of a public notice and the authority shall consider any submissions received.

(e) Following the adoption of a resolution under this subsection a local authority may make application to the Minister for an alteration in the number of members.

(2) Where an application has been duly made to the Minister under subsection (1), the Minister may by order alter the number of members of the F34[county council, city council or city and county council] concerned, whether or not to the extent proposed.

F34[(3) Before deciding whether to make an order under subsection (2), the Minister shall request a committee in accordance with section 32 of the Local Government Act 1991 to prepare a report with respect to the application and Part V of that Act applies to such a request and report.]

(4) An order under subsection (2) shall not apply to any local elections which occur within 6 months of the making of the order but shall apply to any subsequent local elections.

(5) F35[]

F34[(6) An application under this section shall not be made to the Minister within 5 years of

(a) the commencement of section 15 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 (which inserts a new Schedule 7 to this Act), or

(b) the decision by the Minister on any previous application by the local authority concerned,

whichever is the later.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F34

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 25-27 and 29, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F35

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 28, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 3A

Municipal Districts

Section 22A 22A
22A

Municipal districts

22A

22A. (1) Subject to subsection (4), every county and city and county set out in Part 1 and Part 3, respectively, of Schedule 5 shall have 2 or more districts (each consisting of one or more than one local electoral area) to be known as a municipal district and collectively as municipal districts, as the Minister shall determine by order made under section 23(1)(c).

(2) Where

(a) a municipal district contains the administrative area of the former Limerick City Council or the former Waterford City Council that were dissolved with effect from the 2014 establishment day, then, notwithstanding subsection (1), each of those municipal districts so containing shall be known

(i) in the Irish language, as "Ceantar Cathrach..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and

(ii) in the English language, as "the Metropolitan District of..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

and those municipal districts may each be referred to as a "metropolitan district",

(b) a municipal district contains the administrative area of the former borough of Clonmel, the former borough of Drogheda, the former borough of Sligo or the former borough of Wexford that were dissolved with effect from the transfer date, then, notwithstanding subsection (1), each of those municipal districts so containing shall be known

(i) in the Irish language, as "Ceantar Buirge..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and

(ii) in the English language, as "the Borough District of..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

and any such municipal district may be referred to as a "borough district", and

(c) a municipal district contains the administrative area of the former borough of Kilkenny, that was dissolved with effect from the transfer date, then, notwithstanding subsection (1), the municipal district so containing shall be known

(i) in the Irish language, as "Ceantar Bardasach Chathair Chill Chainnigh", and

(ii) in the English language, as "the Municipal District of Kilkenny City".

(3) In the case of a municipal district in respect of which a designation referred to in subsection (2) does not apply, the municipal district shall be known

(a) in the Irish language, as "Ceantar Bardasach..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and

(b) in the English language, as "the Municipal District of..............…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply in the case of the counties of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin.

(5) This section has effect in respect of the local elections for the year 2014 and subsequent local elections and, accordingly

(a) a municipal district shall continue in existence until it ceases by order under section 23(1)(c), and

(b) its area shall continue to be that as determined by the order under section 23(1)(c), subject to any subsequent provision relating to its area being made by such an order.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F36

Inserted (30.01.2014 and 1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 19, S.I. Nos. 38 and 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E100

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 70 of 2014), art. 4.

E101

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 69 of 2014), art. 4.

E102

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 68 of 2014), art. 5.

E103

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 67 of 2014), art. 4.

E104

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 66 of 2014), art 4.

E105

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 64 of 2014), art. 4.

E106

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 63 of 2014), art. 4.

E107

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 62 of 2014), art. 4.

E108

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 61 of 2014), art 4.

E109

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 60 of 2014), art. 4.

E110

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 59 of 2014), art. 4.

E111

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 58 of 2014), art. 5.

E112

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 57 of 2014), art. 4.

E113

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 56 of 2014), art. 4.

E114

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 55 of 2014), art. 4.

E115

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 54 of 2014), art. 4.

E116

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 53 of 2014), art. 5.

E117

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 52 of 2013), art. 5.

E118

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 51 of 2014), art. 4.

E119

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 50 of 2014), art. 4.

E120

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 44 of 2014), art. 4.

E121

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Cork Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 43 of 2014), art. 4.

E122

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 42 of 2014), art. 4.

E123

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 41 of 2014), art. 4.

E124

Municipal districts for purposes of section prescribed (31.01.2014) by County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 40 of 2014), art. 4.

Section 22B
22B

F37[Members for municipal districts

22B. The members of a county council or city and county council, elected in accordance with this Act for the local electoral areas situated in a municipal district of the county or the city and county concerned (as the case may be), collectively comprise the council membership for that municipal district for the purpose of the performance in that collective capacity of functions of the county council or city and county council in accordance with section 131A and, in respect of each municipal district, collectively shall be known as the municipal district members.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F37

Inserted (30.01.2014 and 1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 19, S.I. Nos. 38 and 214 of 2014.

Section 22C
22C

F38[Cathaoirleach of municipal district

22C. In the case of each municipal district, the municipal district members shall elect a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach in accordance with Part 5.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F38

Inserted (30.01.2014 and 1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 19, S.I. Nos. 38 and 214 of 2014.

PART 4

Local Elections

Section 23

Local electoral areas.

23

23.F39[(1) Subject to and without prejudice to Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 (as amended by the Local Government Act 1994), the Minister may by order

(a) divide each county, city or city and county referred to in section 10(2) into local electoral areas,

(b) fix the number of members to be elected for each local electoral area, and

(c) determine the municipal districts within a county or a city and county for the purposes of section 22A, each of which shall consist of one or more than one local electoral area.

(1A) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply in respect of the counties of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin.]

(2) The number of members of a local authority to which an order under this section relates to be elected at an election of members of the local authority held after the making of the order for each local electoral area specified in the order shall, without prejudice to any subsequent order, be the number fixed by the order for the local electoral area.

F40[(3) Where, on the commencement of this provision, an order is in force dividing a local government area referred to in section 10(2) into local electoral areas or fixing the number of members for each local electoral area, the order shall continue in force in relation to that area and be deemed to be an order under this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.]

(4) In respect of F40[any local electoral area in a local government area referred to in section 10(2)], the Minister may by order—

(a) amend, modify, or revoke any division made by an order under this section, including an order under this subsection or an order deemed by subsection (3) to be an order under this section, or

(b) alter the number of members of the local authority to be elected for a local electoral area by virtue of an order under this section, including an order under this subsection or an order deemed by subsection (3) to be an order under this section.

(5) An order under this section shall first have effect for the purpose of the election of members of the local authority held next after the order is made.

(6) F41[]

(7) F41[]

(8) F41[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F39

Substituted and inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 20(1)(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F40

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 20(1)(b), (c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F41

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 20(1)(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C16

Alternate commencement date for amendments by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 20(1), specified (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(d), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(d) the amendments by section 20(1) to section 23 of the Principal Act shall have effect,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Editorial Notes:

E125

Power pursuant to section exercised (16.04.2019) by County Of Kerry Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 157 of 2019).

E126

Power pursuant to section exercised (16.04.2019) by County Of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 156 of 2019).

E127

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2019) by County Of Cork Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts Order 2019 (S.I. No. 28 of 2019), in effect as per art. 5.

E128

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2019) by City Of Cork Local Electoral Areas Order 2019 (S.I. No. 27 of 2019), in effect as per art. 4.

E129

Power pursuant to section exercised (17.01.2019) by County Of Meath Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 8 of 2019).

E130

Power pursuant to section exercised (17.01.2019) by County Of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 7 of 2019).

E131

Power pursuant to section exercised (17.01.2019) by County Of Louth Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 6 of 2019).

E132

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 638 of 2018).

E133

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 637 of 2018).

E134

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 636 of 2018).

E135

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 635 of 2018).

E136

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 634 of 2018).

E137

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 633 of 2018).

E138

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 632 of 2018).

E139

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 631 of 2018).

E140

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 630 of 2018).

E141

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 629 of 2018).

E142

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 628 of 2018).

E143

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 627 of 2018).

E144

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 626 of 2018).

E145

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 625 of 2018).

E146

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 624 of 2018).

E147

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 623 of 2018).

E148

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 622 of 2018).

E149

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 621 of 2018).

E150

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 620 of 2018).

E151

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 619 of 2018).

E152

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 618 of 2018).

E153

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 617 of 2018).

E154

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 616 of 2018).

E155

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 615 of 2018).

E156

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 614 of 2018).

E157

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 613 of 2018).

E158

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 612 of 2018).

E159

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 611 of 2018).

E160

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.12.2018) by County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 610 of 2018).

E161

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 70 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 638 of 2018), art. 5.

E162

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 69 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 637 of 2018), art. 6.

E163

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 68 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 636 of 2018), art. 5.

E164

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 67 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 635 of 2018), art. 5.

E165

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 66 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 634 of 2018), art. 5.

E166

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 65 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 633 of 2018), art. 5.

E167

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 64 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 632 of 2018), art. 5.

E168

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 63 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 631 of 2018), art. 5.

E169

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 62 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 630 of 2018), art. 5.

E170

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 61 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 629 of 2018), art. 5.

E171

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 60 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 628 of 2018), art. 6.

E172

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 59 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 627 of 2018), art. 5.

E173

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 58 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 626 of 2018), art. 6.

E174

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 57 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 625 of 2018), art. 5.

E175

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 56 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 624 of 2018), art. 5.

E176

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 55 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 623 of 2018), art. 5.

E177

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 54 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 622 of 2018), art. 5.

E178

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 53 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 621 of 2018), art. 5.

E179

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 52 of 2013); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 620 of 2018), art. 6.

E180

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 51 of 2014); revoked 19.12.2018) by County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 619 of 2018), art. 5.

E181

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 50 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 618 of 2018), art. 5.

E182

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 49 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 617 of 2018), art. 4.

E183

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 47 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 616 of 2018), art. 5.

E184

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 46 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 615 of 2018), art. 5.

E185

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 45 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 614 of 2018), art. 4.

E186

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 44 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 613 of 2018), art. 5.

E187

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Cork Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 43 of 2014); revoked (31.01.2019) by County Of Cork Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts Order 2019 (S.I. No. 28 of 2019), art. 6, in effect as per art. 5.

E188

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 42 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 612 of 2018), art. 5.

E189

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 41 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 611 of 2018), art. 5.

E190

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (31.01.2014) by County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 40 of 2014); revoked (19.12.2018) by County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 610 of 2018), art. 5.

Section 24

Right to vote at local elections.

24

24.—(1) For the purposes of this section and subject to this Part and regulations made under it, every person whose name is on the register of local government electors prepared under Part II of the Electoral Act, 1992, for the time being in force for a local electoral area (in this Act referred to as the “register of electors”) is entitled to vote at the poll at a local election in that area.

(2) A person’s name shall be taken to be on the register of electors if it includes a name which, in the opinion of the returning officer or presiding officer, was intended to be the person’s name.

(3) A person who has voted at a local election shall not in any legal proceeding be required to state for whom he or she has voted.

(4) A person who—

(a) is registered in the register of electors for the time being in force for a local electoral area but is not entitled to be so registered, or

(b) is not registered in the register of electors,

shall not vote at the poll at a local election in that area.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be read so as to entitle any person to vote who is not entitled to do so, or as relieving that person from any penalties to which that person may be liable to, for voting.

Section 25

Prohibition of plural voting.

25

25.—(1) A person shall not vote or apply for a ballot paper—

(a) more than once at an election of the members of a local authority otherwise than under Article 64 of the Local Elections Regulations, 1995,

(b) F42[]

F43[(c) at an election of the members of more than one local authority held at the same local elections, or]

(d) F42[]

(e) F44[]

(2) F44[]

(3)(a) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(b) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable:

(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500, or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

Annotations

Amendments:

F42

Repealed (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(a), commenced on enactment.

F43

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 30, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F44

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 31-32, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E191

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

E192

A fine of £10,000 converted (1.01.1999) to €12,697.38.

E193

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1)(c) amended (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment; substituted as per F-note above.

Section 26

Year of elections to all local authorities.

26

26.—(1)(a) An election of members of every local authority shall be held in the year 2004 and in every fifth year thereafter.

(b) Nothing in this subsection affects Part 21 of this Act or any order made under that Part.

(2) The poll at local elections shall be held on such day in the month of May or June and shall continue for such period, not being less than 12 hours, between the hours of 7.00 a.m. and 10.30 p.m., as may be fixed by the Minister by order.

F45[(2A) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where the Minister is of the opinion that due to local circumstances concerning an island, and taking account of advice from the returning officer (within the meaning of the Local Elections Regulations 1995) for the election in the local electoral area in which the island is situated, it would be unnecessary or impracticable for the poll to continue on the island for the period fixed by the Minister by order under subsection (2), the Minister may by order, not later than the seventh day before polling day, shorten the period of the poll on the island.

(2B) A poll the subject of an order under subsection (2A) shall continue on the island for not less than 4 hours.

(2C) In subsection (2A), "local circumstances" includes:

(a) the number of local government electors on the island;

(b) the distance between a polling station on the island and the place appointed for the counting of votes under article 74(2) of the Local Elections Regulations 1995;

(c) advance forecasts of stress of weather;

(d) foreseen transport difficulties.]

(3) An order under this section shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.

Annotations

Amendments:

F45

Inserted (13.10.2022) by Electoral Reform Act 2022 (30/2022), s. 204, S.I. No. 512 of 2022, art. 2(e).

Modifications (not altering text):

C17

Application of section restricted (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(4), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. ...

(4) Nothing in section 26 of the Principal Act shall be read as enabling the holding of an election for members of—

(a) a town council, or

(b) a local authority that is to be dissolved on the 2014 establishment day,

but this subsection is without prejudice to filling, in accordance with section 19 of the Principal Act, a casual vacancy that occurs before the transfer date or the 2014 establishment day, as appropriate.

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Section 26A

F46[Advance polling

26A

26A.(1) Notwithstanding section 26, the Minister may, in the public interest and where it is necessary to do so having regard to the immediate, exceptional and serious risk posed to human life and public health by a pandemic or by Covid-19 and with the consent of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, make an order providing that, in addition to the poll provided for under section 26

(a) in one or more local authorities, an advance poll may be taken on the day before the day appointed by the Minister under section 26, and

(b) a poll referred to in paragraph (a) shall continue for such period, not being less than twelve hours, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10.30 p.m.

(2) An order under this section shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.

(3) In this section

"Covid-19" means a disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2 and specified as an infectious disease in accordance with Regulation 6 of, and the Schedule to, the Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 ( S.I. No. 390 of 1981 ) or any variant of the disease so specified as an infectious disease in those Regulations;

"pandemic" means an outbreak of disease

(a) occurring worldwide or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and affecting a large number of people, and

(b) which has been declared by the World Health Organisation to be a pandemic.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F46

Inserted (13.10.2022) by Electoral Reform Act 2022 (30/2022), s. 177,  S.I. No. 512 of 2022, art. 2(e).

Section 27

Conduct of elections.

27

27.—(1)(a) Local elections shall be held in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under this section.

(b) If an election is contested, the poll shall be taken according to the system of proportional representation, each local government elector having one transferable vote.

(c) In this subsection “transferable vote” has the meaning given to it by section 37 of the Electoral Act, 1992.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may in particular include provision for all or any of the following matters in relation to local elections:

(a) nominations;

(b) deposits by candidates;

(c) deaths of candidates;

(d) duties of returning officers;

(e) staff of returning officers;

(f) taking of polls and counting of votes;

(g) use, free of charge, of schools and public rooms;

(h) arrangements for postal voting;

(i) arrangements for special voting;

(j) voting by persons in the employment of returning officers;

(k) voting by physically ill or physically disabled local government electors;

(l) polling on islands;

(m) issue of polling information cards;

(n) maintenance of secrecy of voting;

(o) removal of persons misconducting themselves in polling stations;

(p) procedure in cases of disorder or obstruction;

(q) interference with ballot boxes or ballot papers;

F47[(r) election of the same person in more than one local electoral area or to more than one local authority;]

(s) casual vacancies that occur in the circumstances specified in paragraph (r), or occuring in other specified circumstances related to local elections;

(t) the manner in which the costs of local elections are to be paid by local authorities;

(u) provisions corresponding to sections 60, 105, 134 to 154, 156 to 160 and 163 of the Electoral Act, 1992, with such modifications as appear to the Minister to be appropriate.

(3) Where a provision of regulations under this section corresponds to a provision of the Electoral Act, 1992, which declares a matter to be an electoral offence, the regulations may provide for a corresponding offence in relation to local elections and lay down a penalty for it which does not exceed the relevant penalty specified in section 157 of that Act.

(4) Regulations made under section 22 of the Local Government Act, 1994, and in force at the commencement of this provision shall continue in force and have effect as if made under this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

(5) Where regulations under this section are proposed to be made, a draft of them shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House.

(6) No local election is invalid by reason of non-compliance with any regulations under this section, or any mistake in the use of forms provided for or by any such regulations, if it appears to the court before which the matter is raised:

(a) that the election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the regulations under this section taken as a whole, and

(b) that the non-compliance or mistake did not materially affect the result of the election.

(7) Regulations under this section apply to a new election under Part 21.

(8) Where regulations under this section provide for the issue of polling information cards by a local authority, a decision to issue them is a reserved function.

Annotations

Amendments:

F47

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 33, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 28

Temporary arrangements with respect to certain polling districts and register of electors.

28

28.F48[(1) In this section the "chief executive" means

(a) in relation to any part of a polling district situated in a city, the chief executive for the city,

(b) in relation to any part of a polling district situated in a county, the chief executive for the county,

(c) in relation to any part of a polling district situated in a city and county, the chief executive for the city and county.]

(2) This section applies where after—

F48[(a) the alteration of the boundary of a local authority, or]

(b) the making of an order under section 23

F48[(i) dividing a county, city or city and county into local electoral areas, or]

(ii) amending or modifying any division made by such an order,

a polling district existing immediately before the alteration or revision or amendment or modification of such division, as the case may be, is not wholly situated within the area of a local authority or of a local electoral area, as the case may be.

(3) Where subsection (2) applies, the F48[chief executive] of the relevant local authority shall, for each part of the polling district situated within the area of the local authority—

(a) join it or parts of it with any adjoining polling district or districts within that area, or

(b) constitute it as a polling district and appoint a polling place for it.

(4) An arrangement made under subsection (3) has effect until, and only until, the first scheme under section 28 of the Electoral Act, 1992, in relation to the F48[county, city or city and county] in which the part concerned of the polling district is situated comes into operation after the making of the arrangement.

(5) An arrangement made under subsection (3) shall, as soon as practicable, be notified to the Minister by the F48[chief executive].

(6) In respect of a part of a polling district referred to in subsection (3), the F48[chief executive] shall make such alterations in relation to the part of the register of electors in force as may be necessary to secure that the part of the register concerned shall be in conformity with the arrangement made under that subsection and may conveniently be used for the purposes of taking a poll.

Annotations

Amendments:

F48

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 34-40, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 29

Consequential appointments to certain other bodies.

29

29.—(1) The year 2004, and every year after 2004 which is a year in which local elections are held, is an election year for the purposes of the Harbours Act, 1946.

(2) F49[]

(3)(a) The appointments made under section 10 of the School Attendance Act, 1926, which first occur after the commencement of this subsection shall be made in the year 2004 and shall be regarded as quinquennial appointments.

(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) operates to prejudice the power of any person, conferred by or under section 10 of the School Attendance Act, 1926, to appoint persons to fill casual vacancies among the membership of a school attendance committee.

Annotations

Amendments:

F49

Repealed (1.07.2013) by Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (11/2013), s. 4 and sch. 1, part 1 item 14, S.I. No. 211 of 2013.

Section 30

Savers (Part 4).

30

30.F50[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F50

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 41, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 5

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach

Chapter 1

General

Section 31

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

31

31.—(1) Subject to this Part each local authority F51[and the municipal district members] shall have a chairperson and vice-chairperson who shall be elected and hold office in accordance with this Part and who in this Act are referred to as “Cathaoirleach” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach”, respectively, and shall be so known except where the provisions of section 32 apply.

F52[(2) The holders of the offices of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach shall as appropriate be styled

(a) in the case of a county council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chontae....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chontae....…" followed by the name of the county in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the County of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the County of....…" followed by the name of the county in English,

(b) in the case of a city council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chathair....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chathair....…" followed by the name of the city in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the City of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the City of....…" followed by the name of the city in English,

(c) in the case of a city and county council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chathair agus Chontae....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chathair agus Chontae....…" followed by the name of the city and county in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the City and County of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the City and County of....…" followed by the name of the city and county in English,

(d) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of a city council dissolved by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Cathrach....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Cathrach....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

(e) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of a borough council in being (other than in respect of the borough of Kilkenny) immediately before the transfer date as provided for by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Buirge....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Buirge....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Borough District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Borough District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

(f) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of the borough of Kilkenny in being immediately before the transfer date as provided for by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach Chathair Chill Chainnigh" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach Chathair Chill Chainnigh" and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Kilkenny City" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Kilkenny City",

(g) in the case of a municipal district to which paragraph (d), (e) or (f) does not apply, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Municipal District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English.]

(3) Any reference in any other enactment to the lord mayor, mayor, chairman, deputy lord mayor, deputy mayor or vice-chairman or cognate words shall, where the context so requires, be read as a reference to the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or other title standing for the time being by virtue of section 32, as the case may be.

F52[(4)(a) The Cathaoirleach of a local authority shall take precedence at all meetings of the local authority.

(b) The Cathaoirleach of a municipal district shall take precedence at all meetings and proceedings of the municipal district members.

(5) Anything authorised or required by this Act or otherwise by law to be done by, to or with the Cathaoirleach may where necessary be done by, to or with the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the local authority or the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the municipal district, as the case may be.

(6) The Cathaoirleach may, where the Leas-Chathaoirleach is unavailable, nominate from among the other members of the local authority or the municipal district members, as the case may be, a member for the purpose of representing the Cathaoirleach at any ceremony or event in that capacity and that member shall be entitled to act in that capacity for such purpose.

(7) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Cathaoirleach of a local authority or of a municipal district, as the case may be, the Leas-Chathaoirleach shall assume the responsibilities of the office pending the election in accordance with this Part of a Cathaoirleach.]

(8) A person holding the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach on the commencement of this provision shall continue to hold that office in accordance with this Part.

(9) Subject to this Act, an outgoing Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall be eligible for re-election.

(10) F53[]

(11) Section 34 shall apply to a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach elected in 2004 in accordance with F53[] this Part and thereafter.

Annotations

Amendments:

F51

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 42, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F52

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 43-44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F53

Deleted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C18

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 7(1), in effect as per reg. 3.

Other matter relating to the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

7. (1) The provisions of subsections (4) to (7), (9) and (11) of section 31 of the Act shall apply to the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of a municipal district:—

(a) as if, in subsection (4), the references to “local authority” and “elected council” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(b) as if, in subsections (5) and (6), the references to “local authority” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(c) as if, in subsection (7), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”.

...

Section 32

Alternative titles to Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, etc.

32

F54[32.(1) Where prior to the commencement of section 31

(a) Cork City Council or Dublin City Council used the title "Lord Mayor" or "Deputy Lord Mayor", or

(b) Galway City Council used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor",

to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach as the case may be, it shall continue to so use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31.

(1A) Where

(a) immediately before the 2014 establishment day (provided for in Part 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) Limerick City Council or Waterford City Council used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas- Chathaoirleach, as the case may be, then, if a municipal district containing the area of the former city council is determined by order under section 23(1)(c), the municipal district members (being the municipal district members for a metropolitan district by virtue of section 22A(2)(a)) may use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by that Act),

(b) immediately before the transfer date (provided for in Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) a borough council referred to in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 6 used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach, as the case may be, then, if a municipal district containing the area of the former borough council is determined by order under section 23(1)(c), the municipal district members (being the municipal district members for a borough district by virtue of section 22A(2)(b) or for the municipal district of Kilkenny City by virtue of section 22A(2) (c)) may use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by that Act), and

(c) a municipal district contains the area of a town (including all the environs of the town for the purposes of the census of population concerned) the population of which, when rounded to the nearest 1,000 as shown in the latest census report of the Central Statistics Office, is equal to or greater than 20,000, then the municipal district members for such district may decide by resolution to use the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

(2) A local authority or the municipal district members, to which subsection (1) or (1A) (respectively) relates, may by resolution give the title Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach to the Lord Mayor or Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the case may be, and in that case shall be styled in accordance with section 31.

(3) Where titles are continued in accordance with subsection (1) or (1A), the holders of the offices concerned shall, as appropriate, be styled

(a) in the case of Cork City Council, in the Irish language "Ard-Mhéara Chathair Chorcaí" and "Leas-Ardmhéara Chathair Chorcaí", and in the English language "Lord Mayor of the City of Cork" and "Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Cork",

(b) in the case of Dublin City Council, in the Irish language "Ard- Mhéara Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath" and "Leas-Ardmhéara Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath", and in the English language "Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin" and "Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin",

(c) in the case of Galway City Council, in the Irish language "Méara Chathair na Gaillimhe" and "Leas-Mhéara Chathair na Gaillimhe", and in the English language "Mayor of the City of Galway" and "Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway",

(d) in the case of a municipal district to which subsection (1A) relates, in the Irish language "Méara....…" and "Leas-Mhéara....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Mayor of....…" and "Deputy Mayor of.....… " followed by the name of the municipal district in English in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) of section 22A.

(4) Notwithstanding section 31 a local authority which is a city and county council may, subject to Schedule 8, give an alternative title to its Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or revert to the title or titles of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach as the case may be.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F54

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 37(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 33

Resignation of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

33

33.F55[(1) The Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach may resign from that office by notice in writing signed by him or her and delivered to the principal offices of the local authority which, in the case of a municipal district, is the principal offices of the local authority concerned.]

(2) The vacancy caused by a resignation under subsection (1) shall occur on the date specified in the notice as the resignation date or, where no such date is specified, on receipt of such notice.

Annotations

Amendments:

F55

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 45, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 34

Removal of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach from office.

34

34.F56[(1) Subject to this section, a local authority may by resolution remove from office the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of such local authority for stated misbehaviour or if his or her removal appears to it to be necessary for the effective performance by the local authority of its functions and such removal may also be for those reasons arising from the performance of his or her duties as chair of the corporate policy group.

(1A) Subject to this section, a local authority may by resolution remove from office the chairperson of any strategic policy committee of such local authority for stated misbehaviour or if his or her removal appears to them to be necessary for the effective performance by the local authority of its functions or by the committee of its functions.]

(2) Notice of the intention to propose a resolution under this section (in this section referred to as a “notice”) shall—

(a) be signed by at least one-third of the total number of members of the local authority concerned,

(b) contain a statement of the reasons for the proposed removal,

(c) specify a day for the holding of a special meeting to consider the proposed removal, being a day which is not less than 21 days after the day on which the notice is delivered under paragraph (d),

(d) be delivered to the meetings administrator, and

F57[(e) be delivered or sent to the Cathaoirleach, Leas-Chathaoirleach or chairperson of the strategic policy committee concerned.]

(3) The meetings administrator shall on receipt of a notice and without delay send a copy of it to every member of the local authority and convene a special meeting for the date so specified to consider the proposed removal.

(4) (a) Such special meeting shall be chaired by a member of the local authority, other than the person the subject of the notice, chosen by the members present at the meeting.

(b) The person the subject of the notice shall at such meeting be afforded an opportunity to make a statement of response in relation to the proposed removal.

F57[(5) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under this section that the number of members of the local authority concerned voting in favour of the resolution is at least two-thirds of those present and voting.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F56

Substituted and inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 38(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F57

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 38(b), (c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C19

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 5, in effect as per reg. 3.

Removal of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach from office.

5. The provisions of section 34 of the Act shall apply to the removal from office of a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of municipal district members as if:—

(a) in subsection (1), the references:—

(i) to “a local authority” and “such local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(ii) to “the effective performance by the local authority of its functions” were a reference to “the effective performance by the municipal district members of their functions”,

(b) in subsection (2)(a), the reference to “the total number of members of the local authority concerned” were a reference to “the total number of municipal district members concerned”,

(c) in subsection (3), the reference to “every member of the local authority” were a reference to “every municipal district member”,

(d) in subsection (4), the reference to “chaired by a member of the local authority” were a reference to “chaired by a municipal district member”, and

(e) in subsection (5), the reference to “the total number of members of the local authority concerned” were a reference to “the total number of municipal district members concerned”.

Editorial Notes:

E194

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2004) by Athlone Town Boundary Alteration (Supplementary) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 705 of 2003).

Chapter 2

Election by Local Authority

Section 35

Application of Chapter 2.

35

35.F58[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F58

Repealed (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(a), commenced on enactment.

Section 35A 35A
35A

F59[Application of Chapter to municipal district members.

35A

35A. This Chapter applies to municipal district members as if every reference in the other provisions of this Chapter to a local authority or to a member of a local authority were, respectively, a reference to the municipal district members or to a member of a municipal district.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F59

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 39, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 36

Annual election of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach by local authority.

36

36.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (c), a local authority shall elect a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach from amongst its members at every annual meeting.

(b) The election of a Cathaoirleach shall be carried out in accordance with section 37.

(c) A member of a local authority who is a member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann shall be disqualified from being elected or from being a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority.

F60[(d) On the commencement of section 2 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003, paragraph (c) shall cease to apply and have effect.]

(2) (a) Subject to subsection (3), a member who holds the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall hold that office (unless he or she becomes disqualified under subsection (1)(c), resigns under section 33 or is removed from office under section 34) from election until a successor is elected at the next annual meeting of the local authority after that member’s election to that office.

(b) In a year in which local elections are to be held under section 26 and notwithstanding subsection (3), subsection (4) shall apply in respect of a Cathaoirleach.

(3) Except as is provided for in subsection (4), the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority shall, upon ceasing to be a member of the authority, cease to be Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of that authority.

(4) Following a local election the Cathaoirleach shall continue to hold office for the period between the retirement of the outgoing members and the commencement of the annual meeting at which the successor is elected unless he or she sooner dies or resigns from the office or becomes disqualified for local authority membership.

Annotations

Amendments:

F60

Inserted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C20

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 6(1), in effect as per reg. 3.

Annual election of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

6. (1) The provisions of section 36 of the Act shall apply to the annual election of a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of municipal district members:—

(a) as if, in subsection (1)(a):—

(i) the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(ii) the reference to “its members” were a reference to “their members”,

(b) as if, in subsection (2), the reference to “the local authority” were a reference to “the municipal district members”,

(c) as if, in subsection (3):—

(i) the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(ii) the reference to “ceasing to be a member of the authority” were a reference to “ceasing to be a municipal district member for the municipal district concerned”, and

(iii) the reference to “that authority” were a reference to “of those municipal district members”.

Section 37

Method of election of Cathaoirleach by local authority.

37

37.—Subject to paragraph 4 of Schedule 10, the following provisions shall apply and have effect in respect of the election of a Cathaoirleach by the members of a local authority:

(a) one or more than one member may be proposed and seconded for nomination and every person so proposed and seconded who does not reject the nomination shall be a candidate and no other person shall be a candidate otherwise than in accordance with this provision;

(b) where there is only one candidate, such candidate shall be elected;

(c) where there are more than 2 candidates, a poll shall be taken;

(d) if at such poll a majority of the members present vote for any particular candidate, such candidate shall be elected;

(e) if at such poll no candidate receives the votes of a majority of the members present, the candidate receiving the least number of votes shall be excluded from the election, and, subject to paragraph (g), one or more further polls (according as may be necessary) shall be taken;

(f) paragraphs (d) and (e) shall apply in relation to such further poll or polls;

(g) where there are only 2 candidates or where, as a result of one or more polls all the candidates except 2 have been excluded, the question as to which of such candidates shall be elected shall be put to the members present and whichever of such candidates receives the majority of votes cast shall be elected;

(h) if from an equality of votes given to 2 or more candidates any question arises as to which of such candidates is to be excluded or as to which of such candidates is to be elected, such question shall be decided by lot in accordance with paragraph (i);

(i) in deciding any such question by lot, the names of the candidates concerned shall be written on similar slips of paper, the slips shall be folded so as to prevent identification and mixed and drawn at random, and the candidate whose name is first drawn shall be—

(I) the candidate who shall be excluded, where the question concerns an exclusion, or

(II) the candidate who shall be elected, where the question concerns an election.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C21

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 6(2), in effect as per reg. 3.

Annual election of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

6. ...

(2) The provisions of section 37 of the Act shall apply to the method of election of a Cathaoirleach as if the reference to “the members of a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”.

Section 38

Casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

38

38.—(1) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority the members of the authority—

(a) present at the next meeting of the authority after the occurrence of the vacancy, or

(b) if that meeting is held within 14 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, present at the next following meeting of the authority,

shall elect one of their number to be Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach, as the case may be.

(2) Section 37 shall apply in relation to the election of a member to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach.

(3) A person elected to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall be elected for the remainder of the term of office of his or her predecessor.

(4) Not less than 3 clear days’ notice shall be given to each member of the local authority of a meeting to fill a casual vacancy under this section.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C22

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 7(2) and (3), in effect as per reg. 3.

Other matter relating to the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

7. ...

(2) The provisions of section 38 of the Act shall apply to the election of a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of a municipal district where a casual vacancy has occurred in such office as if:—

(a) the reference in subsection (1) to “a local authority the members of the authority” were a reference to “municipal district members, the members”,

(b) the references in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) to “the authority” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(c) the reference in subsection (4) to “member of the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district member”.

(3) The provisions of section 38 of the Act shall apply in relation to the election of a municipal district member to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach as if the reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”.

Chapter 3

Direct Election

Section 39

Application of Chapter 3.

39

39.F61[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F61

Repealed Part 5, Chapter 3 (ss. 39 to 43) (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 40

Direct election and tenure of Cathaoirleach of county council and city council.

40

40.F62[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F62

Repealed Part 5, Chapter 3 (ss. 39 to 43) (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 41

Casual vacancy in office of Cathaoirleach of county council or city council.

41

41.F63[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F63

Repealed Part 5, Chapter 3 (ss. 39 to 43) (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 42

Amendments to certain Acts, relating to direct elections, etc.

42

42.F64[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F64

Repealed Part 5, Chapter 3 (ss. 39 to 43) (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 43

Election petitions in relation to direct elections.

43

43.F65[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F65

Repealed Part 5, Chapter 3 (ss. 39 to 43) (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(b), commenced on enactment.

PART 6

Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

Section 44

Application (Part 6).

44

44.—(1) This Part and Schedule 10 apply and have effect in relation to the meetings and proceedings of local authorities and to connected matters.

(2) Meetings of a local authority or a joint body may be held in Irish or in English or in both languages.

(3) In respect of meetings and proceedings of joint bodies, the Minister may by regulations under this subsection—

(a) make provisions corresponding to those provided for local authorities under this Part and Schedule 10,

(b) apply this Part or Schedule 10, with any necessary modification or adaptation,

and any such provisions apply and have effect in relation to such meetings and proceedings.

(4)(a) Subject to paragraph (b), any provision provided for by or under statute relating to meetings and proceedings of a joint body to which that paragraph relates, and in force immediately before the commencement of this provision, continues in operation until it ceases to have effect under paragraph (b).

(b) On the commencement of regulations under subsection (3), the matters with respect to which the regulations were made are governed by those regulations, and any previous provisions (whether made by or under statute) as may be specified in those regulations relating to those matters cease to have effect as respects the body mentioned in the regulations to such extent as may be so specified.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C23

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 8(1), in effect as per reg. 3.

Meetings and proceedings.

8. (1) The provisions of section 44 of the Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the meetings and proceedings of municipal district members and connected matters:—

(a) as if the references to “local authority” and “local authorities” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(d) with the exclusion of “or a joint body” in subsection (2) and

(e) as if subsections (3) and (4) were deleted.

...

Section 45

Attendance of public and media at meetings.

45

45.—(1) In this section—

“media” includes accredited representatives of local and national press, local and national radio and local and national television;

“members of the public” means any person who is not attending the meeting at the request of the local authority.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (5), members of the public and representatives of the media are entitled to be present at a meeting of a local authority.

(3) Where a local authority is of the opinion that the absence of members of the public and representatives of the media from the whole or any part of a particular meeting is desirable because—

(a) of the special nature of the meeting, or of an item of business to be, or about to be, considered at the meeting, or

(b) for other special reasons,

the authority may by resolution decide to meet in committee for the whole or a part of the meeting concerned, where the authority considers that such action is not contrary to the overall public interest.

(4) (a) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under subsection (3) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(b) A resolution under subsection (3) shall indicate in a general way the reasons for the resolution and those reasons shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(5) A local authority may, by standing orders, regulate the right of members of the public and representatives of the media to be present at meetings and, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may—

(a) taking account of available space, limit the number of persons to be admitted,

(b) make rules governing the conduct of persons present at meetings,

(c) provide for the removal of members of the public who interrupt the proceedings or who otherwise misconduct themselves, or

(d) make rules in relation to the taking of photographs or the use of any means for recording or relaying the proceedings as they take place or at a later stage.

(6) Nothing in subsection (5), other than paragraph (a), shall be read so as to enable a local authority to limit the attendance of representatives of the media, and paragraph (a) shall not be read as enabling a local authority to prohibit the attendance of such representatives.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C24

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 8(2), in effect as per reg. 3.

Meetings and proceedings.

8. ...

(2) The provisions of section 45 of the Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the attendance of members of the public and representatives of the media at meetings of municipal district members as if:—

(a) as respects subsections (2), (5) and (6), the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”,

(b) as respects subsection (3):—

(i) the reference to “a local authority is” were a reference to “municipal district members are”, and

(ii) the references to “the authority” were a reference to “the municipal district members”, and

(c) as respects subsection (4)(a), the reference to “the total number of members of the local authority” were a reference to “the total number of municipal district members”.

...

Section 46

Meetings administrator.

46

46.—The F66[chief executive] shall from time to time as may be necessary assign the duties of meetings administration to an employee (referred to in this Act as a “meetings administrator”) of a local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F66

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 46, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C25

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 8(4), in effect as per reg. 3.

Meetings and proceedings.

8. ...

(4) The provisions of section 46 of the Act shall apply in relation to the assignment of the duties of a meetings administrator in respect of meetings of municipal district members.

...

Section 47

Effective discharge of business.

47

F67[47. A local authority shall seek to secure as regards

(a) the establishment of committees under Part 7, and

(b) meetings of the authority and each of its committees and municipal district members,

that they are organised and operate so as to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of business.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F67

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 40, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C26

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 9(2), in effect as per reg. 3.

Establishment of one or more than one committee.

9. ...

(2) The provisions of section 47 shall apply and have effect in relation to the effective discharge of business of committees of municipal district members, with the following modifications:—

(a) as if the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members", and

(b) as if the reference in paragraph (b) to “meetings of the authority and each of its committees and municipal district members” were a reference to “meetings of each of its committees”.

...

PART 7

Committees and Joint Committees

Section 48

Strategic policy committees.

48

48.—(1) A local authority, F68[] shall establish by resolution committees to be known as strategic policy committees to consider matters connected with the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy which relate to the functions of the local authority and to advise the authority on those matters.

F69[(1A) One of the committees established under subsection (1) shall be to consider matters which relate to the functions of the local authority in relation to economic development and matters connected to the promotion of, including support for, enterprise, and to advise the authority on those matters.]

(2)(a) A strategic policy committee consists partly of persons who are and partly of persons who are not members of the local authority concerned.

(b) The chairperson of a strategic policy committee shall be a member of the local authority concerned.

(3)(a) The establishment of a strategic policy committee shall be undertaken by the local authority in accordance with such guidelines as may be issued by the Minister for that purpose under section 54(2).

(b) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) shall include provision for—

F70[(i) the representation of each local community development committee established in accordance with section 49A and of sectoral interests,]

(ii) the term of office of—

(I) members of strategic policy committees, and

(II) chairpersons, which shall not be less than 3 years,

and

(iii) the procedures to apply to ensure fairness and equity in the appointment of chairpersons.

F69[(ba) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) may include

(i) provisions for procedures for presentation of proposals to the local authority concerned connected with the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy for the purposes of this section,

(ii) provisions relating to the format, content and layout of any particular class or classes of policy papers and other documents (including the preparation of preliminary documents) prepared by or presented to the strategic policy committee, and

(iii) provisions for procedures to ensure that sufficient time for input by the strategic policy committee into policy papers is provided prior to completion and subsequent presentation to the local authority concerned.

(bb) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) may apply to local authorities generally, to any class or classes of local authorities specified in the guidelines or to a particular local authority so specified and shall, in so far as the guidelines relate to them, be complied with by every local authority, chief executive, strategic policy committee and municipal district member.]

(c) Any guidelines issued by the Minister prior to the commencement of this section and relating to strategic policy committees continue to apply until such time as guidelines are issued under section 54(2).

F69[(3A)(a) For the purposes of assisting a strategic policy committee in considering matters in accordance with subsections (1) and (1A) the committee may request the attendance of a public authority at a meeting of the committee.

(b) Where a public authority refuses or otherwise fails to attend a meeting of a strategic policy committee following a request by the committee, then the chairperson of the committee

(i) may report such refusal or failure to a meeting of the local authority, and

(ii) where so reported, shall provide the meeting of the local authority with any explanation furnished by the public authority for so refusing or failing to attend.

(c) Where any refusal or failure by a public authority is reported to a local authority under paragraph (b), then the local authority may report such refusal or failure, together with any explanation furnished by the public authority, to any Minister of the Government

(i) on whom functions relating to the public authority concerned stand conferred, or

(ii) who has general responsibility for the public authority concerned.

(3B) When formulating, developing, adopting, monitoring and reviewing policies which relate to the functions of a local authority each strategic policy committee of the local authority shall have regard to the regional spatial and economic strategy of the appropriate regional assembly.]

(4) Subject to subsection (5), a member of a local authority who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas is disqualified from being elected or from being a chairperson of a strategic policy committee.

(5) Subsection (4) has effect for the purposes of any election of a chairperson of a strategic policy committee held after the commencement of this section.

(6) An annual report of a local authority shall include an outline of the activities of strategic policy committees during the period to which the annual report relates.

F71[(7) On the commencement of section 2 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003, subsections (4) and (5) cease to apply.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F68

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 47, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F69

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 41(a), (c), (d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F70

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 41(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F71

Inserted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 49

Municipal policy committees.

49

49.F72[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F72

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 48, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 49A
49A

F73[Local Community Development Committees

49A. (1) Subject to subsection (3), there shall be established, in accordance with this section and Chapter 2 of Part 13 (including any regulations made or general policy guidelines issued under that Chapter) by resolution of each local authority in respect of its administrative area a committee, to be known as the Local Community Development Committee, for the purposes of developing, co-ordinating and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development.

(2) Subject to this section and Chapter 2 of Part 13, each Local Community Development Committee is independent in the performance of its functions.

(3) Where the Minister has approved in writing a proposal by a local authority for the establishment of more than one Local Community Development Committee within its administrative area, the local authority may by resolution establish such number of Committees so proposed.

(4) A local authority may, by resolution and with the prior approval of the Minister in writing, dissolve a Local Community Development Committee established by it but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by such Committee.

(5) A Local Community Development Committee dissolved in accordance with subsection (4) shall be replaced by resolution of the local authority concerned

(a) where subsection (3) applies, by such number of Local Community Development Committees as are approved by the Minister for establishment under that subsection, or

(b) in any other case, by a new Local Community Development Committee.

(6) Except where a Local Community Development Committee would stand dissolved in accordance with subsection (4) in respect of a day that would be the ordinary day of retirement of the members of the local authority concerned, a Local Community Development Committee shall, notwithstanding section 51(6), continue to stand established on and following that day.

(7) An annual report of a local authority shall include an outline of the activities of each Local Community Development Committee within the authoritys functional area during the period to which the annual report relates.

(8) Section 45 shall not apply to meetings of the Committee.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F73

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 50

Area committees.

50

F74[50.(1) A local authority to which this section applies may establish by resolution a committee in respect of a local electoral area or of 2 or more adjoining such areas or any other area in its administrative area to be known by some appropriate name followed by the words "Area Committee", or by such other title, as may be designated by the authority.

(2) This section applies to the following local authorities:

(a) Cork City Council;

(b) Dublin City Council;

(c) Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council;

(d) Fingal County Council;

(e) Galway City Council;

(f) South Dublin County Council.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F74

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 42, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 51

Committees of local authorities.

51

51.—(1) If a local authority considers it appropriate, it may by resolution establish either or both—

(a) one or more than one committee to consider matters connected with the functions of the authority referred to it by the authority and to assist and advise the authority on those matters, and

(b) one or more than one committee to perform functions of the authority delegated to it under this section but may not delegate generally all of its functions to any committee.

(2) (a) A local authority may, by resolution, delegate with or without restrictions to a committee established under subsection (1)(b) any of its functions that may be performed by resolution other than—

(i) the power to adopt the local authority budget,

(ii) the power to make a development plan, or to make a variation of a development plan, under Part II of the Act of 2000,

(iii) the power to determine an annual rate on valuation or borrow money, or

(iv) any other functions as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(b) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(3) A local authority may, by resolution, dissolve a committee established by it but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by the committee.

(4) (a) The members of a committee first appointed shall be appointed by resolution of the local authority by which it was established and subsequent appointments shall be by such resolution or in such other manner as that local authority may provide for by resolution.

(b) A committee consists of such number of persons, not being less than 3, as the local authority by which it was established considers appropriate.

(c) Subject to paragraph (d), a committee may at the discretion of the local authority by which it was established, consist either wholly of persons who are members of that authority or partly of persons who are, and partly of persons who are not, such members.

(d) A person who is not a member of the local authority concerned shall not be appointed to be a member of a committee unless, in the opinion of the authority, he or she is a person having knowledge, qualifications or experience relevant to the functions of the committee.

(5) Notwithstanding the repeal or revocation under section 5 of an enactment by or under which a committee of a local authority stood established immediately before such repeal or revocation the committee shall continue to stand established after such repeal or revocation as if it was established under this section and this Part applies and has effect accordingly in relation to it.

(6) Unless dissolved in accordance with subsection (3) a committee shall be deemed to be dissolved on the ordinary day of retirement of members of the local authority concerned in accordance with section 17.

(7) A reference to a committee in this section includes a committee established under section 50.

(8) Nothing in this section prejudices the establishment and continued operation of a local consultative committee.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C27

Application of subss. (1)(a), (3), (4) and (6) extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 9(1), in effect as per reg. 3.

Establishment of one or more than one committee.

9. (1) The provisions of subsections (1)(a), (3), (4) and (6) of section 51 of the Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the establishment of one or more than one committee by municipal district members to consider matters connected with the functions to be performed by those members, with the following modifications:—

(a) as if, in subsection (1), the reference to “if a local authority considers it appropriate, it may” were a reference to “if municipal district members consider it appropriate, they may” and the references to “the authority” were references to “the members”,

(b) as if, in subsection (3), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “established by it” were a reference to “established by them”,

(c) as if, in subsection (4):—

(i) the reference in paragraph (a) to “the local authority” were a reference to “the municipal district members” and the reference to “that local authority” were a reference to “those municipal district members”,

(ii) the reference in paragraph (b) to “the local authority by which it was established considers appropriate” were a reference to “the municipal district members by which it was established consider appropriate”,

(iii) the reference in paragraph (c) to “the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “members of that authority” were a reference to “members in respect of that municipal district”, and

(iv) the reference in paragraph (d) to “member of the local authority concerned” were a reference to “member in respect of the municipal district concerned” and the reference to “the authority” were a reference to “the municipal district members”.

...

Section 52

Joint committees of local authorities.

52

52.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes such other bodies (if any) as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(2) If 2 or more local authorities consider it appropriate to do so, they may, by resolution of each of the authorities, jointly establish either or both—

(a) a joint committee of those authorities to consider matters connected with the functions of the authorities specified in the resolution and to advise the authorities on those matters, and

(b) a joint committee of those authorities to perform functions of those authorities delegated to it by them under subsection (6).

(3) A local authority may join in the establishment of more than one joint committee.

(4) More than one joint committee may be established by the same local authorities.

(5) Where resolutions under subsection (2)(b) relating to a joint committee, with the consent of the Minister, so provide—

(a) the joint committee shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and be known by such name as may be specified in the resolutions or determined by the joint committee,

(b) the joint committee may sue and be sued in its corporate name,

(c) the joint committee has power to acquire, hold, manage, maintain and dispose of land or an interest in land,

(d) the joint committee shall have a common seal which shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson, or of an employee nominated in writing for that purpose by the F75[chief executive], following consultation with the chairperson,

(e) judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the joint committee and every document claiming to be an instrument made by it and to be sealed with its seal, claiming to be authenticated in accordance with paragraph (d), shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be that instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown.

(6)(a) Subject to this subsection a local authority by resolution, and with the consent of the other authorities concerned, may delegate with or without restrictions to a joint committee established under subsection (2)(b) any of its functions that may be performed by resolution.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the functions of a local authority to adopt the local authority budget or to determine an annual rate on valuation or any other functions as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(c) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(7) The Minister may direct a local authority—

(a) to establish a joint committee under subsection (2) with one or more other local authorities as may be specified in the direction, and

(b) where appropriate, subject to such (if any) conditions or restrictions as may be specified in the direction, to delegate to the joint committee such of the functions of the local authority as may be specified in the direction,

upon and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the direction.

(8) A joint committee may be dissolved by resolution of any one of the local authorities by which it was established with, in the case of a joint committee established by virtue of a direction under subsection (7), or to which subsection (5) applies, the consent of the Minister, but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by the committee.

(9) Where a joint committee is established under subsection (2)(b) such executive functions as may be appropriate to the functions delegated under that subsection shall vest in the F75[chief executive] for that joint committee.

(10)(a) The members of a joint committee shall be appointed by the local authorities by which it was established by each authority appointing such number of persons to be members of the joint committee as may be agreed upon by those authorities.

(b) A joint committee consists of 6 or more persons, as is agreed by the local authorities by which it was established and may, subject to paragraph (c), at the discretion of those authorities, be composed either wholly of persons who are members of those authorities or partly of persons who are, and partly of persons who are not, such members.

(c) A person who is not a member of one of the local authorities concerned shall not be appointed to be a member of a joint committee unless, in the opinion of the authority by which he or she is so appointed, he or she possesses knowledge, qualifications or experience relevant to the functions of the joint committee.

(11)(a) Notwithstanding the repeal or revocation under section 5 of an enactment by or under which a joint committee of a local authority stood established immediately before such repeal or revocation, the committee shall continue to stand established after such repeal or revocation as if it was established under this section and this Part applies and has effect accordingly in relation to it.

(b) Except as provided for by this section or otherwise by law, it is not lawful for local authorities to establish a joint committee or to delegate any of their functions to a joint committee.

Annotations

Amendments:

F75

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 49, 50, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 53

Saver for acts of committee or joint committee.

53

53.—The acts, decisions and proceedings of any committee or joint committee of a local authority shall not be invalidated only because of a vacancy or vacancies in its membership or of the disqualification or want of qualification of any of its members.

Section 54

Regulations (Part 7).

54

54.—(1) The Minister may make regulations—

(a) specifying conditions, restrictions or other provisions which apply in relation to the delegation of functions to, or the revocation of a delegation of functions to, a joint committee to which section 52(2) applies or to a committee,

(b) as respects the procedures, general administration and general finances of joint committees to which section 52(2) applies,

(c) providing for the attendance of members of the public and representatives of the media at meetings of joint committees or committees other than those—

(i) specified in the regulations, or

(ii) at which the local authority concerned, in accordance with such procedures as may be specified in the regulations, determines such attendance is not permitted,

and section 45(3) and (4) shall apply to such attendance at meetings of joint committees or committees subject to any necessary modifications,

(d) as respects such other matters relating to joint committees or committees as the Minister considers appropriate.

(2) The Minister may issue general policy guidelines to local authorities for the purposes of any provision of this Part and the authorities shall comply with any such guidelines.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C28

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 8(3), in effect as per reg. 3.

Meetings and proceedings.

8. ...

(3)(a) The provisions of section 54 of the Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the attendance of members of the public and representatives of the media at meetings of a committee of municipal district members except in the case of such committee as may be determined by resolution of the municipal district members concerned.

(b) It is necessary for the passing of such resolution that at least one-half of the total number of municipal district members concerned vote in favour and that not less than 7 days notice of the proposed resolution is given to the municipal district members.

...

Editorial Notes:

E195

Power pursuant to section exercised (17.07.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Meetings) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 66 of 2002).

PART 8

Local Authority Boundary Alteration

Section 55

Interpretation (Part 8).

55

55.F76[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F76

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 56

Proposal by local authority for alteration of boundary.

56

56.F77[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F77

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 57

Application for boundary alteration.

57

57.F78[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F78

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 58

Supplementary provision to sections 56 and 57.

58

58.F79[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F79

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 59

Minister may request review.

59

59.F80[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F80

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 60

Report by Local Government Commission.

60

60.F81[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F81

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 61

Power to alter boundaries, etc.

61

61.F82[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F82

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 62

Provisions consequential on boundary alteration.

62

62.F83[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F83

Part 8 (ss. 55-62) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 9

Functions of Local Authorities

Chapter 1

General Functions of Local Authorities

Section 63

Statement of local authority functions.

63

63.—(1) The functions of a local authority are—

(a) to provide a forum for the democratic representation of the local community, in accordance with section 64, and to provide civic leadership for that community,

(b) to carry out such functions as may at any material time stand conferred on the relevant authority by or under any enactment (including this Act and any other enactment whether enacted before or after this Act),

(c) to carry out any ancillary functions under section 65, and

(d) to take such action as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the community interest in accordance with section 66.

(2)(a) Without prejudice to the scope of subsection (1)(b) and for ease of reference only, there is set out—

(i) in Part 1 of Schedule 12, certain Acts of the Oireachtas, the responsibility for which is primarily that of the Minister, which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities, and

(ii) in Part 2 of Schedule 12, certain Acts of the Oireachtas, the responsibility for which is primarily that of a Minister of the Government other than the Minister, which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities.

(b) Paragraph (a) shall not be read as setting out all relevant Acts which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities.

(3) Subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.

F84[(4) Subject to law, the functions of a local authority shall be performed for or on behalf of the local authority and in its name by the elected council (including the municipal district members in respect of each municipal district pursuant to section 131A) or the chief executive, as may be appropriate, in accordance with Part 14.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F84

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 64

Representational functions of local authorities.

64

64.—(1) As a forum for the democratic representation of the local community a local authority may represent the interests of such community in such manner as it thinks appropriate.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a local authority may for the purposes of giving effect to that subsection—

(a) ascertain and communicate to other local authorities and public authorities the views of the local community in relation to matters as respects which those other authorities perform functions and which affect the interests of the administrative area of the authority and the local community,

(b) promote, organise or assist the carrying out of research, surveys (including public opinion surveys) or studies with respect to the local community or its administrative area,

(c) facilitate and promote interest and involvement in local government affairs generally,

(d) promote interest among young people in democracy and local government and in community and civic affairs generally,

(e) promote the use of the Irish language and support Gaeltacht communities.

(3) The making of a decision by a local authority in relation to the representation of the views of the local community under this section is a reserved function.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C29

Application of subs. (3) extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 10, in effect as per reg. 3.

Making of a decision in relation to the representation of the views of the local community.

10. The provision of section 64(3) of the Act shall apply in relation to the representation of the views of the local community in the area of the municipal district as if the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”.

Section 65

Ancillary functions of local authorities.

65

65.—(1) A local authority may do anything ancillary, supplementary or incidental to or consequential on or necessary to give full effect to, or which will facilitate or is conducive to the performance of, a function conferred on it by this or any other enactment or which can advantageously be performed by the authority in conjunction with the performance of such a function.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) to a function conferred on a local authority shall be read as including—

(a) all such functions as may at any material time stand conferred on the local authority by or under any enactment (including this Act and any other enactment whether enacted before or after this Act),

(b) the provision of offices, equipment or the doing of anything else which is necessary for or related to the general operation, organisation or administration of the authority.

(3) Every enactment relating to a function of a local authority shall be read and have effect in accordance with this section.

Section 66

Promotion of interests of local community.

66

66.—(1) In this section “assistance in money or in kind” includes—

(a) grants, loans, guarantees or other financial aid,

(b) land and structures of any kind and related services, facilities or equipment,

(c) plant, machinery or equipment or the carrying out of works,

(d) the services of staff of the local authority concerned,

(e) financial aid in relation to the employment of staff, and

(f) professional or technical assistance.

(2) A decision by a local authority under this section to provide assistance in money or in kind to which paragraph (a), (b) or (e) of subsection (1) applies is a reserved function.

F85[(3)(a) Subject to this section, a local authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things in accordance with law (including the incurring of expenditure) as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community.

(b) For the purposes of this section a measure, activity or thing is deemed to promote the interests of the local community if it promotes, directly or indirectly

(i) social inclusion or the social, environmental, recreational, cultural or community development, or

(ii) the general development including enterprise and economic development,

of the administrative area (or any part of it) of the local authority concerned or of the local community (or any group consisting of members of it).

(c) Nothing in subsection (4) or section 66B or 67 shall be read as restricting the generality or meaning of this subsection.]

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), a local authority may for the purposes of this section—

(a) carry out and maintain works of any kind,

(b) provide, maintain, manage, preserve or restore land, structures of any kind or facilities,

(c) fit out, furnish or equip any building, structure or facility for particular purposes,

(d) provide utilities, equipment or materials for particular purposes,

(e) provide any service or other thing or engage in any activity that, in the opinion of the authority, is likely to benefit the local community,

(f) upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers appropriate, provide assistance in money or in kind (including the provision of prizes and other incentives) in respect of the organisation or promotion of competitions, seminars, exhibitions, displays, festivals or other events, or organise or promote such events,

(g) upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers appropriate, provide assistance in money or in kind to persons engaging in any activity that, in the opinion of the authority, benefits the local community,

(h) take such measures in relation to the matters mentioned in section 67 as it considers necessary or desirable,

(i) enter into such contracts and make such other arrangements (including the incorporation of one or more than one company) as the authority considers necessary or expedient either alone or jointly with any other local authority or public authority or any other person.

(5) A local authority shall not, by virtue of this section, perform any function (including the incurring of expenditure or any liability, whether contractual or otherwise) which is conferred on the authority by any other provision of this Act (other than section 67) or of any other enactment.

(6) A local authority shall not, by virtue of this section, undertake or provide assistance in money or in kind for the undertaking of any activity that would—

(a) prejudice or unnecessarily duplicate activity arising from the performance of a statutory function by any person in the administrative area of the authority, or

(b) having regard to the activities or proposed activities of that person in relation to the area, involve wasteful or unnecessary expenditure by the local authority.

(7) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, prescribe by regulations matters in respect of which a local authority is not to exercise the functions conferred by this section or in respect of which such exercise is subject to terms or conditions set out in the regulations.

(8) Expenditure (including the incurring of any liability whether contractual or otherwise) by a local authority in respect of the performance of its functions under this section (whether in respect of a particular activity or otherwise or in respect of a particular period or otherwise) shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(9) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.

(10) A local authority may make such charges for the use of, admission to or otherwise in relation to amenities, facilities, services or any other thing provided under this section (including matters mentioned in section 67) as it considers appropriate.

F86[(11) A decision of a local authority to make a charge under subsection (10) is a reserved function.

(12) The performance by a local authority of functions under this section is subject to the performance by a Local Community Development Committee of so much of those functions as are deemed to have been delegated to the Committee by virtue of section 128B(2).]

Annotations

Amendments:

F85

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 43, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F86

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 52, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C30

Functions transferred and references to “Minister for Finance” in subs. (7) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Enactments

...

Part 2

1922 to 2011 Enactments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

(1)

(2)

(3)

...

...

...

No. 37 of 2001

Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66(7), 81(6), 92(2), 109(8), 169(1)(a), 212(3) and 231(1)

...

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19/2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

Section 66A
66A

F87[Interpretation (sections 66A to 66H)

66A. In the relevant sections

"Committee" means a local community development committee established pursuant to section 49A;

"Plan" has the meaning assigned in section 66B;

"relevant sections" means sections 66A to 66H.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F87

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66B

F88[Local economic and community plan

66B

66B. (1) Each local authority shall make, in accordance with section 66C and any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for the purposes of that section, and the principles of sustainable development, a 6 year local economic and community plan (in this section referred to as the "Plan"), which shall be referred to as the "Local Economic and Community Plan", prefixed by the name of the local authority concerned, and the Plan shall be for

(a) the promotion of economic development in its functional area, and

(b) the promotion of local and community development in its functional area.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), promotion of economic development includes but is not limited to

(a) creating and sustaining jobs,

(b) promoting the interests of the community, including

(i) enterprise and economic development across economic sectors,

(ii) foreign direct investment,

(iii) indigenous industry,

(iv) micro-enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises,

(v) tourism, and

(vi) agriculture, forestry and the marine sectors, and other natural resource sectors,

(c) identifying local attributes that are essential

(i) to enhancing local economic performance, such as the quality of the environment and the qualities of cities, towns and rural areas, including

(I) accessibility, physical character, and infrastructure,

(II) employment opportunities and quality of life,

and the means by which these may be utilised to enhance competitiveness, and be supported by investment decisions relating to economic infrastructure (including transportation, water services, energy, communications and waste management), together with social and cultural facilities, and

(ii) to promoting local economic activities,

(d) supporting enhancement of local innovation capacity, including investment in research and development capacity, technology transfer, up-skilling and re-skilling,

(e) identifying, for existing and prospective businesses, opportunities to engage with local government on relevant matters in setting up and managing their businesses and to ensure speedy and co-ordinated access and response,

(f) identifying local strengths and opportunities, weaknesses and deficiencies relevant to economic performance and

(i) in relation to such strengths and opportunities having regard to economic and employment trends, the means of maintaining and augmenting them, and

(ii) in relation to such weaknesses and deficiencies, the means of addressing or rectifying them,

and

(g) identifying economic potential and the requirements to realise it.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), promotion of local and community development includes, but is not limited to

(a) promoting and supporting the interests of local communities, or any part of a community or group within a local community, including measures to enhance quality of life and well-being of communities and measures aimed at

(i) tackling poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion through support for basic services and other initiatives,

(ii) supporting training and up-skilling, creating and sustaining employment and self-employment opportunities, and investing in local development through community-focused supports and services, and

(iii) the provision of infrastructure and community facilities and investment in physical regeneration and environmental improvements,

(b) supporting the capacity of local communities to improve their quality of life,

(c) supporting social enterprise, social capital, volunteering and active citizenship,

(d) developing integrated and evidenced-based approaches to local service planning and delivery,

(e) identifying the needs and priorities of local communities to enhance their well-being, and developing sustainable solutions that make the best use of local assets, strengths and opportunities to address those needs and priorities,

(f) exploiting and co-ordinating funding sources from the public, private and community and voluntary sectors to stimulate and support local development and sustainability, and

(g) promoting, supporting and facilitating community involvement in policy development and decision-making processes related to the planning, development and delivery of services.

(4) Every Plan made pursuant to subsection (1) shall be consistent with

(a) the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter I of Part II of the Act of 2000) of the local authority concerned, and

(b) any regional spatial and economic strategy or, as appropriate, regional planning guidelines (being a strategy or guidelines for the purposes of Chapter III of Part II of the Act of 2000),

that apply to the area of the Plan, and shall consist of a written statement which may include objectives for the sustainable development of the area of the Plan.

(5)(a) Without prejudice to subsections (2) and (3), the Plan to which subsection (1) relates shall include and integrate

(i) economic elements in respect of local economic development, and

(ii) community elements in respect of local and community development.

(b) Each local authority shall, without prejudice to and, in accordance with section 66C and any regulations made or policy guidelines issued by the Minister for that purpose, draft the economic elements of the Plan.

(c) Each Committee shall, without prejudice to and, in accordance with sections 66C and 128B and any regulations made or policy guidelines issued by the Minister for that purpose, draft, adopt and obtain approval for the community elements of the Plan.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F88

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66C
66C

F89[Preparation and making of local economic and community plans

66C. (1) A local authority and a Committee shall, in preparing the economic and community elements of a Plan, have regard to

(a) the need to integrate sustainable development considerations into the Plan,

(b) the resources, wherever originating from, that are available or likely to become available to it for the purpose of the Plan and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of such resources,

(c) the need for co-operation with, and the co-ordination of its activities with those of other local authorities, public authorities and publicly funded bodies, the performance of some of whose functions affect or may affect the local authority and the Committee,

(d) the need for consistency with the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government or other public authority in so far as they may affect or relate to the promotion of economic and community development as provided for in sections 66B(2) and 66B(3), and

(e) the need to integrate the economic and community elements, developed in accordance with the provisions of subsections (2) and (3), into the Plan.

(2)(a) Each local authority in developing the economic elements of the Plan shall, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under section 66H

(i) consult with members of the public (in this subsection referred to as a "public consultation process") by publishing a public notice (which notice may be given by means of the internet or otherwise) inviting them to make observations or other submissions in writing to the local authority in relation to its proposed development of those elements of the Plan and, in relation to the observations and other submissions so made

(I) prepare and publish a report on them, and

(II) have regard to them when preparing the economic elements of the Plan,

(ii) consult with those public authorities and publicly funded bodies exercising functions that, in the local authoritys opinion, have a contribution to make or are making to economic development within the functional area of that local authority, and

(iii) consult with any person or body prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 66H.

(b) Following consultations in accordance with paragraph (a), the local authority concerned shall submit a draft of the economic elements of the Plan for consideration

(i) in respect of each municipal district concerned, by the municipal district members, and

(ii) by the regional assembly for the region within which the local authority is located pursuant to section 43 of the Local Government Act 1991,

and each shall adopt a statement on the draft for consideration by the elected council of that local authority and by the Committee.

(c) The consideration of the economic elements of a draft of the Plan by the regional assembly, the municipal district members, in accordance with pararaph (b), and the Committee, in accordance with section 128B(1) (h), shall relate to its consistency with

(i) the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter I of Part II of the Act of 2000) of the local authority concerned,

(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy or, as appropriate, regional planning guidelines (being a strategy or guidelines for the purposes of Chapter III of Part II of the Act of 2000), that may apply, and

(iii) the community elements of a draft of the Plan submitted by the Committee in accordance with subsection (3)(b).

(d) The adoption by the municipal district members of a statement under paragraph (b) is a reserved function.

(3)(a) The Committee, in developing the community elements of the Plan shall, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under section 66H

(i) consult with members of the public (in this subsection referred to as a "public consultation process") by publishing a public notice (which notice may be given by means of the internet or otherwise) inviting them to make observations or other submissions in writing to the local authority in relation to its proposed development of those elements of the Plan and, in relation to the observations and other submissions so made

(I) prepare and publish a report on them, and

(II) have regard to them when preparing the community elements of the Plan,

(ii) consult with those public authorities and publicly funded bodies exercising functions that, in the local Committees opinion, have a contribution to make or are making to community development to or within, the area of the Committee, and

(iii) consult with any person or body prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 66H.

(b) Following consultations in accordance with paragraph (a), the Committee concerned shall submit a draft of the community elements of the Plan for consideration

(i) in respect of each municipal district concerned, by the municipal district members, and

(ii) by the regional assembly for the region within which the local authority, to which the Committee relates, is located pursuant to section 43 of the Local Government Act 1991,

and each shall adopt a statement on the draft for consideration by the elected council of that local authority.

(c) The consideration of the community elements of a draft of the Plan by the regional assembly, the municipal district members, in accordance with paragraph (b), and the local authority concerned, in accordance with subsection (4)(a), shall relate to its consistency with

(i) the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter I of Part II of the Act of 2000) of the local authority concerned,

(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy or, as appropriate, regional planning guidelines (being a strategy or guidelines for the purposes of Chapter III of Part II of the Act of 2000), that may apply, and

(iii) the economic elements of a draft of the Plan prepared in accordance with subsection (2)(b).

(d) The adoption by the municipal district members of a statement under paragraph (b) is a reserved function.

(4)(a) Following the adoption of statements provided for in subsections (2)(b) and (3)(b) and any statement adopted by the Committee, the Plan (including any Plan amended consequent to subparagraph (i), or new Plan made consequent to subparagraph (ii) of section 66F(b)) shall integrate the economic and community elements and that Plan shall be made by the elected council of the local authority, with or without amendment, and any amendment by it shall relate only to the consistency of the Plan with

(i) the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter I of Part II of the Act of 2000) of the local authority concerned that apply to the area of the Plan, and

(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy or, as appropriate, regional planning guidelines (being a strategy or guidelines for the purposes of Chapter III of Part II of the Act of 2000) that apply to the area of the Plan.

(b) The making of the Plan under paragraph (a) by the elected council of the local authority is a reserved function.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F89

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66D
66D

F90[Publication of local economic and community plans

66D. As soon as may be after the making of a Plan under section 66C, a copy of it

(a) shall be made available at the principal offices of the local authority and on its internet website,

(b) shall be furnished to the Minister, and

(c) may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours, and purchased at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F90

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66E
66E

F91[Implementation of the economic elements of local economic and community plans

66E. (1) Without prejudice to the implementation of the community elements of the Plan in accordance with section 128B, each local authority shall

(a) implement, or arrange for the implementation of the economic elements of the Plan as made in accordance with section 66C,

(b) co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of the economic elements of the Plan and any projects or programmes prepared to support or advance the implementation of the economic elements of the Plan that have been either

(i) approved by resolution from time to time for that purpose by the local authority concerned in respect of all or part of its administrative area, or

(ii) agreed for that purpose between the local authority and a public authority,

and ensure that any plans and strategies related to those projects or programmes are implemented in accordance with the economic elements of the Plan,

(c) seek to ensure effectiveness, consistency, co-ordination and avoidance of duplication between the economic development programmes to which paragraph (b) applies and the functions of the local authority in relation to promoting the interests of local communities or in other related functions under sections 66 and 66B or otherwise, and

(d) in addition to those projects or programmes to which paragraphs (b) and (c) apply, pursue the co-ordination generally of all economic development programmes within the functional area of the local authority, for the purposes of

(i) supporting or advancing the implementation of the economic elements of the Plan or optimising resources for the benefit of local communities in that area, and

(ii) improving the efficiency with which public authorities use their resources.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), each local authority shall prepare, review and update, as appropriate, on an annual basis an implementation strategy.

(3) The making and amendment of an implementation strategy is a reserved function.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F91

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66F
66F

F92[Monitoring and review of economic elements of local economic and community plans

66F. Without prejudice to the monitoring and review of the community elements of the Plan in accordance with section 128B, each local authority shall

(a) monitor and review on an ongoing basis the implementation of the economic elements of the Plan, including performance against any benchmarks or indicators of performance set out in it and, if the local authority considers appropriate, to revise the actions, plans and strategies set to achieve its objectives,

(b) undertake a review of the economic elements of the Plan at least once within the period of 6 calendar years after it was made or last amended for the purposes of this paragraph and, if the local authority considers it necessary after any such review

(i) to amend the economic elements of the Plan, or

(ii) to make new economic elements of the Plan for approval by the local authority in accordance with the provisions of section 66C,

and any such amendment or making shall be in accordance with any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for that purpose.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F92

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66G
66G

F93[Annual Report on monitoring and review of local economic and community plans

66G. Each local authority shall include in its annual report an assessment in relation to the implementation and, where appropriate, review of its Plan in accordance with sections 66E, 66F and 128B during the year immediately preceding the year in which the report is submitted.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F93

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 66H
66H

F94[Regulations and general policy guidelines

66H. (1) The Minister may, following consultation with such public authorities as he or she considers appropriate, make regulations for the purposes of the relevant sections and sections 128B to 128F either generally or in relation to a regional assembly or a local authority or a Committee or to a particular class or classes of regional assemblies or local authorities or Committees and each regional assembly, local authority and Committee shall, to the extent that those regulations apply to it, comply with those regulations.

(2) The Minister may, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), make regulations under that subsection in relation to the Plans including

(a) the preparation of a Plan,

(b) the co-ordination of the preparation of the economic and community elements of a Plan,

(c) the integration of the economic and community elements into a Plan,

(d) the timing of the preparation of a Plan,

(e) the role of the strategic policy committee established pursuant to section 48(1A),

(f) extending or shortening the period of a Plan for the purposes of synchronising the time period for a Plan with other relevant plans and strategies,

(g) the format and content of a Plan,

(h) the procedures and processes to ensure consistency with the core strategy and objectives of the development plan of a local authority,

(i) the procedures and processes to ensure consistency with the regional spatial and economic strategy and any regional planning guidelines referred to in subsections (2)(c)(ii), (3)(c)(ii) and (4)(a)(ii) of section 66C for the purposes of Chapter III of Part II of the Act of 2000,

(j) engagement and consultation with the local community in the preparation of a Plan,

(k) public consultation when a Plan is being prepared or reviewed, including the procedures and processes for seeking the timely and effective participation by the public concerned,

(l) developing performance indicators and arrangements for measuring performance of a Plan,

(m) publication of a Plan,

(n) implementation of a Plan, including the preparation, review and updating of the implementation strategies provided for in section 66E(2) and the arrangements for implementation provided for in section 128B(1), and

(o) the review and amendment of a Plan.

(3) For the purposes of the relevant sections and sections 128B to 128F, the Minister may issue general policy guidelines in relation to

(a) principles guiding the preparation of the Plan,

(b) matters to be taken into consideration when a public consultation process is being undertaken for the purposes of preparing or reviewing the Plan,

(c) matters to be taken into account when a review of the Plan is being undertaken,

(d) avoidance of duplication and optimising the use of available resources,

(e) implementation arrangements for the Plan, and

(f) any other matter of a general policy nature that the Minister considers appropriate for inclusion in the guidelines,

and guidelines issued under this subsection may relate generally to all local authorities or to a particular class or classes of local authorities and shall, in so far as the guidelines relate to them, be complied with by every local authority, municipal district members and each Committee.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F94

Inserted (1.07.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 44, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 67

Amenity, recreation and other functions.

67

67.—(1) In accordance with and subject to section 66, a local authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things (including the incurring of expenditure) as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community in relation to the matters indicated in subsection (2).

(2) (a) The matters referred to in subsection (1) are—

(i) general recreational and leisure activities,

(ii) sports, games and similar activities,

(iii) artistic, linguistic and cultural activities,

(iv) civic improvements,

(v) general environmental and heritage protection and improvement,

(vi) allotments, fairs and markets, and related amenities, facilities and services,

(vii) the public use of amenities (both natural and made or altered by human intervention), and

(viii) the promotion of public safety.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), the matters referred to in subsection (1) shall also include the matters set out in the first column of Schedule 13 as expanded upon in the second column of that Schedule.

(3) This section also applies to any amenity, facility, service, allotment or any other thing referred to in section 31(4) of the Local Government Act, 1994.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be read as limiting the operation of section 66.

Section 68

Irish language and local authorities.

68

68.—(1) A local authority may, in performing its functions, take such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage the use of the Irish language.

(2)(a) The Minister shall in accordance with this section issue, or arrange for the issue, to local authorities of guidelines, codes of practice or other guidance as regards the use of the Irish language in local government either generally or in respect of aspects of local authority functions.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), such guidance may deal with the use of the Irish language by local authorities in relation to—

(i) correspondence with members of the public, including written, oral, telephone and electronic communications;

(ii) stationery, advertisements, notices or other official documents;

(iii) the provision of services in the Gaeltacht;

(iv) the provision of, or access to, suitable training for employees;

(v) the promotion generally of the Irish language.

(3) A local authority shall have regard to such guidance in the performance of its functions.

(4)(a) For the purposes of this section the Minister may from time to time appoint an advisory group to be known by such name as may be designated by him or her.

(b) An advisory group appointed under this section shall include—

(i) at least one person who is a member of a local authority;

(ii) at least one person who is a F95[chief executive] or other employee of a local authority;

(iii) at least one person who is an officer of the Minister; and

(iv) at least 2 persons from organisations concerned with the promotion of the Irish language.

Annotations

Amendments:

F95

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 53, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 69

Local authorities to have regard to certain matters in performing functions, etc.

69

69.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a local authority, in performing the functions conferred on it by or under this or any other enactment, shall have regard to—

(a) the resources, wherever originating, that are available or likely to be available to it for the purpose of such performance and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of such resources,

(b) the need to maintain adequately those services provided by it which it considers to be essential and, in so far as practicable, to ensure that a reasonable balance is achieved, taking account of all relevant factors, between its functional programmes,

(c) the need for co-operation with, and the co-ordination of its activities with those of other local authorities, public authorities and bodies whose money is provided (directly or indirectly) either wholly or partly by a Minister of the Government the performance of whose functions affect or may affect the performance of those of the authority so as to ensure efficiency and economy in the performance of its functions,

(d) the need for consultation with other local authorities, public authorities and bodies referred to in paragraph (c) in appropriate cases,

(e) policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government in so far as they may affect or relate to its functions,

(f) the need for a high standard of environmental and heritage protection and the need to promote sustainable development, and

(g) the need to promote social inclusion.

(2) A local authority shall perform those functions which it is required by law to perform and this section shall not be read as affecting any such requirement.

(3) Every enactment relating to a function of a local authority shall be read and have effect subject to this section.

(4) A local authority shall not by virtue of sections 63 to 67 perform any function—

(a) which it is prohibited from enjoying or performing by this or any other enactment, or

(b) without being subject to or complying with any conditions or restrictions to which, by virtue of this or any other enactment, the performance of the function is subject.

Section 70

Exercise of certain functions.

70

70.F96[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F96

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 54, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 71

F97[Objective of unified service to the public.

71

71. Without prejudice to section 69, the elected members of a local authority, in the performance of functions in respect of the authority as a whole and in respect of municipal districts situated in the county or city and county concerned, shall take such steps as may be practicable to maximise effectiveness and efficiency in all aspects of the operations and services of the local authority, including customer service to the public generally.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F97

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 55, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 72

Transfer of certain functions to local authorities.

72

72.—(1)(a) The Government may by provisional order transfer a F98[function of a Minister of the Government or of any other public authority] (other than a function that is required by the Constitution to be performed by a Minister of the Government) that, in the opinion of the Government, could be performed effectively by local authorities of a class or classes specified in the provisional order and is a function relating to the provision of a public service in the functional areas of local authorities of that class or those classes to local authorities of that class or those classes.

(b) The Government may by provisional order amend or revoke a provisional order under this subsection (including a provisional order under this paragraph).

(c) If a provision of a provisional order under this subsection that transfers a function is revoked, subsequent to its confirmation in accordance with paragraph (d), the function shall thereupon become and be vested in the F98[Minister of the Government or the other public authority, as the case may be, from which it was transferred] by the provisional order.

(d) A provisional order under this subsection shall not have effect unless and until it is confirmed by an Act of the Oireachtas.

(2) F99[]

(3)(a) A provisional order under subsection (1) F99[] may contain such ancillary, subsidiary and incidental provisions as the Government or the Minister, as appropriate, may determine.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), a provisional order under subsection (1) F99[] may—

(i) specify terms, conditions and restrictions upon and subject to which a function transferred by the provisional order or order (in this paragraph referred to as a “function concerned”) is to be performed by the local authorities to which the function is transferred (in this paragraph referred to as the “local authorities concerned”),

(ii) provide for the transfer of assets and liabilities associated with a function concerned from the person or persons concerned to the local authorities concerned,

(iii) provide for the use by the local authorities concerned of the services of staff of the person or persons concerned,

(iv) provide for such financial arrangements and adjustments between the person or persons concerned and the local authorities concerned as are considered proper by the Government or the Minister, as appropriate,

(v) provide for any necessary application, adaptation or modification of an enactment,

(vi) provide for such other matters as are considered by the Government or the Minister, as appropriate, to be necessary to enable the transfer of a function concerned to which the order relates to have full effect and to enable such function to be performed by the local authorities concerned.

F100[(4) In this section "public authority" does not include a body to which paragraph (g) of the definition of "public authority" in section 2(1) relates.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F98

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 45(a), (b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F99

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 45(c), (d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F100

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 45(e), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 73

F101[Saver (functional area).

73

73. Subject to section 72 and Chapter 5 of this Part and to Parts 2 and 3 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, nothing in this Act affects the definition in any other enactment (however expressed or implied) of the functional area of a local authority for the purposes of a function conferred by that enactment.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F101

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 56, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Chapter 2

Ceremonial Functions

Section 74

Civic honours.

74

74.—(1) (a) A local authority may confer a civic honour on a distinguished person in such manner as it may determine, including the admission of the person to the honorary freedom of its administrative area, and may establish and maintain a roll or other record in which to enter the names of persons so honoured.

(b) The Cathaoirleach may, without prejudice to paragraph (a), propose a person for a civic honour under this section.

(2) Any roll or other record of civic honour established and maintained by a local authority before the commencement of this section shall continue as if established and maintained under this section.

(3) A decision of a local authority to confer a civic honour on a person is a reserved function.

(4) The repeal by this Act of section 48(3) of the Local Government Act, 1991, shall not have effect as respects any person to whom that section applies.

Section 75

Twinning of local authority areas.

75

75.—(1) A local authority may enter into arrangements for the twinning of its administrative area or a part of it or establish other similar links with any other area, whether within or outside the State.

(2) The decision to enter into an arrangement under subsection (1) is a reserved function.

(3) A local authority shall not enter into an arrangement under subsection (1) unless, having had regard to the following matters, it is satisfied that the arrangement is justified:

(a) the benefits likely to accrue to its administrative area and the local community,

(b) the social, cultural and general interests of its administrative area and the local community, and

(c) the total cost involved.

(4) The Minister may issue directions to local authorities or specified classes of local authorities for the purposes of this section.

(5) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.

Section 76

Entertainment and associated expenses of local authorities.

76

76.—(1) A local authority may incur reasonable expenditure for or in connection with the provision of receptions and entertainment for, and the making of presentations—

(a) to distinguished persons, and

(b) in connection with the holding of special events relevant to its functions.

(2) A decision to incur expenditure under subsection (1) is a reserved function.

(3) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.

Chapter 3

Library and Archival Functions

Section 77

F102[Library authorities.

77

77. Each of the following is a library authority:

(a) a county council;

(b) a city council;

(c) a city and county council;

and references to "library authority" shall be read accordingly.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F102

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 57, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E196

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.09.2002) by Local Government Act, 2001 (County Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 214 of 2002).

Section 78

Functions of library authorities.

78

78.—(1) A library authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things in accordance with law (including the incurring of expenditure) for the provision of library services as it considers necessary or desirable.

(2) A library authority may, in particular, arrange for the provision of the following services:

(a) premises and facilities (including mobile facilities) for the borrowing of and reference to books and other printed matter, tapes and discs (being audio, video or both), slides, and such other material, including material available by means of the use of computers and information technologies, as it considers appropriate;

(b) activities and events of artistic, linguistic, educational, cultural, recreational, community or similar interest;

(c) such other information services, including services available by means of the use of computers and information technologies, as can in its opinion be supplied in conjunction with its functions as a library authority.

(3) A library authority is not, by virtue of subsection (1) or (2), to undertake any activity which in its opinion would unnecessarily duplicate activity arising from the performance of a statutory function by any other public authority or person.

(4) A library authority may make such arrangements as it considers desirable for the provision of library services to any other library authority, public authority or other body (including a school) or by any such body to that library authority.

(5) A library authority shall from time to time, or if requested by the Minister, prepare and adopt a programme for the operation and development of its library service (in this section referred to as the “library development programme”).

(6) Every library development programme prepared by a library authority under subsection (5) shall include—

(a) an outline of the existing library services,

(b) the development objectives and priorities for the library service,

(c) the measures taken or proposed to be taken to secure those development objectives,

(d) the financial or other implications of the library development programme,

(e) such other matters as are considered necessary by the library authority or as the Minister may specify in writing.

(7) The adoption of a library development programme is a reserved function.

Section 79

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

79

79.F103[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F103

Repealed (1.11.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 15(1), S.I. No. 422 of 2012.

Modifications (not altering text):

Editorial Notes:

E197

Power pursuant to section and Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (28/2000), s. 42A exercised (31.12.2008) by Copyright and Related Rights (Public Lending Remuneration Scheme) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 597 of 2008), as amended (20.06.2013) by Copyright and Related Rights (Public Lending Remuneration Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 221 of 2013).

E198

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (26.02.2008) by Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 55 of 2008); revoked (1.11.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 15(2)(d), S.I. No. 422 of 2012.

E199

Previous affecting provision: subs. (6)(e) amended (4.12.2007) by Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act 2007 (39/2007), s. 14, commenced on enactment; section repealed as per F-note above.

E200

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (3.09.2007) by Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 708 of 2007), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.11.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 15(2)(c), S.I. No. 422 of 2012.

E201

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (29.01.2003) by Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 28 of 2003); revoked (1.11.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 15(2)(b), S.I. No. 422 of 2012.

Section 80

Records and archives of local authorities.

80

80.—(1) In this section—

“local archives” includes—

(a) such records and documents (including copies) as are, at the commencement of this section, held by any local archives service operated by any local authority (whether alone or in co-operation with another person or body),

(b) archival material acquired by a local authority under subsection (3), and

(c) other local records which are more than 30 years old, except such records as are certified, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), to be unsuitable for classification as local archives;

“local records” includes books, maps, plans, drawings, papers, files, photographs, films, micro-films and other micrographic records, sound recordings, pictorial records, magnetic tapes, magnetic discs, optical or video discs, other machine-readable records, other documentary or processed material made or received, and held in the course of its business or as successor to any other body by a local authority and includes copies of any such records duly made, but does not include—

(a) grants, deeds or other documents of title relating to property for the time being vested in the local authority, and

(b) any part of the permanent collection of a library, museum or gallery.

(2) Subject to the other provisions of this section, it is a function of a local authority to make arrangements for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records and local archives and for inspection by the public of local archives.

(3) A local authority may acquire, by purchase, donation, bequest or loan, and undertake the care and conservation of, archival material of local interest which is in the possession of any other person or body (including another local authority).

(4) The Minister may, after consultation with the Director of the National Archives, give advice or directions to local authorities in relation to any matter relating to local records and local archives and, in particular and without prejudice to the foregoing, in relation to—

(a) the retention, management, preservation, restoration and reproduction of local records and local archives,

(b) the certification of local records to be unsuitable for classification as local archives, and the review of such certification at specified intervals,

(c) the availability of local archives for public inspection,

(d) the making and provision of copies and extracts from local archives,

(e) circumstances in which local archives, or particular classes of local archives, may be withheld from public inspection,

(f) the preparation of guides, lists, indexes and finding aids to local archives,

(g) the lending of local archives to appropriate institutions, bodies and societies, whether in the State or elsewhere, and

(h) the disposal of local records and local archives.

(5) Section 13 of the National Archives Act, 1986, shall cease to have effect in relation to records or documents of a local authority.

(6) Without prejudice to subsection (4), the National Archives Advisory Council may advise the Minister on any matter affecting local archives and their use by the public.

(7) Nothing in this section affects any rights of a person claiming to be the owner of a document to recover the document.

(8) The making or supplying of reproductions by or under the direction of a local authority of archives which are held in accordance with this section and are open to public inspection shall not, subject to any terms or conditions under which archival material was acquired under subsection (3), infringe the copyright of such archives.

(9) A person shall not remove, conceal, damage or destroy archives held by a local authority in accordance with this section.

(10) A person who contravenes subsection (9) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.

(11) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought by the local authority concerned.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E202

E202

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Chapter 4

Non-Public Roads — Local Improvement Schemes

Section 81

Assistance towards non-public roads.

81

81.—(1) In this section—

F104["functional area" means

(a) a county, or

(b) so much of the area of the city and county that does not comprise of the area of a dissolved local authority area of a city council;]

“improvement” includes associated drainage works;

“non-public road” means a road which is not a public road within the meaning of the Roads Act, 1993;

“road” has the same meaning as in the Roads Act, 1993;

“road authority” means a county council.

(2) The Minister may make a grant to a road authority in relation to assistance by the authority towards the construction or improvement of non-public roads in its functional area.

(3) A road authority may provide assistance by way of the carrying out of works, a financial contribution or otherwise towards the construction or improvement of a non-public road which—

(a) provides access to parcels of land of which at least 2 are owned or occupied by different persons, or

(b) provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for 2 or more persons, or

(c) shall in the opinion of the road authority be used by the public.

(4) Assistance by a road authority under this section shall be—

(a) conditional on a prior written agreement by the parties concerned with the road authority and a financial contribution by such parties, and

(b) subject to such other terms and conditions as the Minister may consider appropriate.

(5) The provision of assistance by a road authority under this section does not make the authority liable for the maintenance of the non-public road in question nor impose any other duties or liabilities on the authority in respect of such road.

(6) After consultation with the Minister and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, any other Minister of the Government may make a grant to a road authority in relation to the construction or improvement of non-public roads in accordance with a scheme made by him or her.

(7) Section 6(2) of the Local Government Act, 1998, is hereby amended by the substitution of the following for paragraph (b):

“(b) the carrying out of works under section 81 of the Local Government Act, 2001, or”.

Annotations

Amendments:

F104

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 58, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C31

Functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (6) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Enactments

...

Part 2

1922 to 2011 Enactments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

(1)

(2)

(3)

...

...

...

No. 37 of 2001

Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66(7), 81(6), 92(2), 109(8), 169(1)(a), 212(3) and 231(1)

...

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19/2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

C32

Functions transferred and references to “Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government” and “Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government” construed (1.01.2008) by Roads and Road Vehicles (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 815 of 2007), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of Transport.

(2) References to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government contained in any Act or instrument made under such Act and relating to any administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Transport.

3. (1) The functions vested in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by or under—

(a) an Act set out in the first column of Part 1 of the Schedule, and

(b) a statutory instrument set out in the first column of Part 2 of the Schedule,

are transferred to the Minister for Transport to the extent specified in the second column of the Part concerned opposite the mention of Act or statutory instrument (as the case may be) so set out.

...

5. Anything commenced before the commencement of this Order by or under the authority of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may, in so far as it relates to functions transferred by this Order to the Minister for Transport, be carried on or completed on or after such commencement by the Minister for Transport.

...

Schedule

Part 1

Acts, certain functions under which are transferred from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Minister for Transport

...

Short Title of Act and number

Extent of transfer of functions to the Minister for Transport

...

...

Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001)

Section 81

...

...

Chapter 5

Functions under Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, etc.

Section 82

Definitions (Chapter 5).

82

82.—In this Chapter—

“town sanitary authority” means a sanitary authority under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, being an urban district council or a borough (other than a county borough) corporation and references to a “town sanitary district” shall be read as a reference to the relevant urban district or borough; but subject to section 3;

“water functions” means the functions of a town sanitary authority under—

(a) the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, and this Chapter, other than functions conferred on a town sanitary authority under—

(i) Parts IV to VI of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948,

(ii) the Local Government (Sanitary Services) (Joint Burial Boards) Act, 1952,

(iii) the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964, except section 4,

(iv) Part II of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907,

(v) sections 34 to 37 and Part IV of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890,

(vi) so much of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, and the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896, as do not relate to the functions of a sanitary authority in relation to sewerage and drainage or the supply of water,

(b) the Water Supplies Act, 1942,

(c) the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960,

(d) the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990, and

(e) any enactment as may be specified in regulations under section 83(7).

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C33

References to "sanitary authority" construed (1.01.2014) by Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013), s. 7(4), S.I. No. 575 of 2013.

Transfer of functions from water service authorities to Irish Water

7. ...

(4) References to a sanitary authority in any enactment or instrument under any enactment shall, on and after the transfer day, in so far as they relate to any function transferred by subsection (3), be construed as references to Irish Water.

Section 83

Functions under Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, etc.

83

83.—(1) On the coming into operation of this section—

(a) the water functions of a town sanitary authority shall transfer to and be functions of the county council in whose administrative county the relevant town sanitary district was situated, and

(b) the county council concerned is the sanitary authority for the purposes of those functions,

and the county shall for those purposes comprise a single sanitary district and each town sanitary district existing before such day shall form part of that single district.

(2) (a) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1934, by this Act and subject to paragraph (b), nothing in this section affects the division of the administrative County of Cork into 3 county health districts by order under the Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1934, which shall each comprise a single sanitary district for the purposes of this section and each such district may be known as a “Division” or such other title as may be assigned by Cork County Council.

(b) Cork County Council may be resolution alter the boundaries of any such Division or terminate all such Divisions in consequence of which termination the County comprises of a single sanitary district for the purposes of this section.

(3) A reference in any enactment to a county health district shall, in so far as it relates or applies for the purposes of the water functions and subject to this section, be read as a reference to a sanitary district within the meaning of subsection (1).

(4) On the commencement of this provision, all property, real and personal (including all interests, rights and easements in, to, and out of property and choses-in-action) which immediately before such commencement was vested in a town sanitary authority and was used solely for the purposes of the water functions and all rights, powers, licences and privileges connected with such functions shall, unless the relevant county council and town sanitary authority otherwise agree, stand vested in the county council without any conveyance or assignment.

(5) A town sanitary authority may issue a certificate under the hand of its town clerk in respect of specified property certifying, as it thinks proper, that the property vested or did not vest under this section and the certificate is evidence of the facts stated in it unless the contrary is shown.

(6) A sanitary authority may make arrangements with any other local authority in relation to the discharge of its water functions.

(7) The Minister may be regulations make such provision as in his or her opinion may be necessary arising from or connected with the transfer of functions effected by this section and for that purpose may—

(a) specify functions under any enactment which shall be water functions for the purposes of this section,

(b) make any necessary adaptation or modification of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1995, the Water Supplies Act, 1942, the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990, or any other enactment for the purposes of this section,

(c) provide for financial adjustments between a county council and any other local authority affected by such transfer and for the method of determination of such adjustments,

(d) provide for the payment of money by or to a county council or by or to any other local authority affected by such transfer or for any other financial arrangements which may be necessary.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C34

References to "sanitary authority" construed (1.01.2014) by Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013), s. 7(4), S.I. No. 575 of 2013.

Transfer of functions from water service authorities to Irish Water

7. ...

(4) References to a sanitary authority in any enactment or instrument under any enactment shall, on and after the transfer day, in so far as they relate to any function transferred by subsection (3), be construed as references to Irish Water.

Section 84

Saver (Chapter 5).

84

84.F105[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F105

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 59, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 10

Agreements and arrangements concerning functions

Section 85

Agreements concerning functions.

85

85.—(1) Where in the opinion of a local authority any function performable by it should be performed, generally or in a particular case, by another local authority, and that other authority is able and willing so to perform the function, then the authorities may enter into an agreement that—

(a) the function shall be so performed on behalf of the first-mentioned authority by the other authority, and

(b) it becomes so performable by that other authority in accordance with the agreement.

(2) Where in the opinion of a body which is a public authority any function performable by it should be performed, generally or in a particular case, by a local authority, and that local authority is able and willing so to perform the function, then the body and the local authority may enter into an agreement that—

(a) the function shall be so performed on behalf of the body by the local authority, and

(b) it becomes so performable by that local authority in accordance with the agreement.

(3) Where—

(a) consequent on an agreement under this section, a function becomes performable by a local authority, and

(b) the body, being a local authority or other body as referred to in subsection (2), as the case may be, which is the other party to the agreement would, if it performed the function, be authorised by law to do any act or thing in relation to such performance,

then the local authority is authorised to do that act or thing in relation to the performance by it of the function as if it were that body.

(4) An agreement under this section may contain terms and conditions as to—

(a) the performance of the function by the local authority, to such extent and for such period as may be specified in the agreement,

(b) the making of payments or the transfer of financial responsibility, and

(c) for such other matters as may be considered necessary to give effect to the agreement,

and may provide for an area of charge other than the area of charge specified in section 10 of the Local Government Act, 1946.

F106[(4A) An agreement under this section made after the commencement of section 20 of the Local Government Act 2019 shall not contain any term, condition or provision that is inconsistent with an arrangement under that section.]

(5) The making of an agreement by a local authority under this section, in so far as it relates to it, is a reserved function.

(6) An agreement under this section may relate to all or part of the area of a local authority as may be specified in the agreement.

F107[(7) This section is without prejudice to section 8 of the Health Act 2004 or section 10 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and an agreement shall not be entered into under this section in any case in which an agreement could be entered into under either of those sections.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F106

Inserted (31.01.2019) by Local Government Act 2019 (1/2019), s. 35(b), S.I. No. 20 of 2019.

F107

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 part 15 item 3, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

Modifications (not altering text):

C35

Application of subs. (1) extended and applied with modifications (18.07.2023) by Civil Defence Act 2023 (17/2023), s. 4(3), S.I. No. 363 of 2023.

Establishment of civil defence unit

4. (1) Each local authority shall, in accordance with such directions as may be given by the Minister, establish at least one unit (in this Act referred to as a “civil defence unit”), comprising one or more civil defence officers and civil defence volunteers, for the purpose of providing civil defence services in the administrative area of that local authority.

(2) A local authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into arrangements with one or more other local authorities for the establishment by them of a joint civil defence unit for the purpose of providing civil defence services in the administrative areas of those local authorities.

(3) Section 85(1) of the Act of 2001 shall apply to a joint civil defence unit referred to in subsection (2) as it applies to an arrangement under that section, with any necessary modifications.

...

Editorial Notes:

E204

Previous affecting provision: subs. (7) substituted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 6 part 21 item 3, S.I. No. 887 of 2004; substituted as per F-note above.

Section 86

Joint discharge of functions and provision of services.

86

86.—(1) Two or more local authorities may make arrangements for the joint discharge of any of their functions.

(2) An arrangement under subsection (1) may relate to all or part of an area of a local authority.

(3) A local authority may, by agreement, provide staff or other services for or avail of such services of any person other than a local authority.

Section 87

Direction to make agreements.

87

87.—(1) Whenever it appears to the Minister that an agreement under section 85(1) should be made between local authorities for the purpose of any of their functions, he or she may direct them to enter into an agreement.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) shall only be made by the Minister after giving each local authority concerned an opportunity to make representations to him or her in writing and after considering any representations so made.

(3) The Minister may direct that any agreement entered into under this section contains such terms and conditions as he or she may specify and the authorities concerned shall comply with any direction given by the Minister.

(4) An agreement entered into under this section shall not be revoked except with the consent of the Minister.

Section 88

Savers (Part 10).

88

88.—(1) Where on the commencement of this section an agreement under section 59 of the Local Government Act, 1955, is in force, that agreement continues in force as if it were an agreement made under section 85 notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 59 of the Local Government Act, 1955.

(2) Without prejudice to section 20 of the Interpretation Act, 1937, references in section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981, section 14 of the Roads Act, 1993, section 2 of the Building Control Act, 1990, and section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1998, to section 59 of the Local Government Act, 1955, shall be read as references to section 85 of this Act.

PART 11

Local Government Commission

Section 89

Establishment of Local Government Commission.

89

89.F108[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F108

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 90

Functions of Commission.

90

90.F109[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F109

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 91

Members of Commission.

91

91.F110[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F110

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 92

Eligibility and tenure of office of members, etc.

92

92.F111[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F111

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E205

Previous affecting provision: functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (2) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2); section repealed as per F-note above.

Section 93

Meetings and procedures of Commission.

93

93.F112[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F112

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 94

Services to Commission.

94

94.F113[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F113

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 95

Submissions to Commission.

95

95.F114[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F114

Part 11 (ss. 89-95) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 12

Financial Procedures and Audit

Chapter 1

Financial Procedures

Section 96

Local financial year.

96

96.—In this Chapter “local financial year” means a calendar year or such other period as the Minister may by regulations prescribe.

Section 97

The local fund.

97

97.—(1) Every local authority shall maintain a fund to be known as the local fund which consists of such accounts kept under section 107 as may be necessary.

(2)(a) F115[]

(b) A reference in any enactment to a county fund, municipal fund or any other fund, which was maintained immediately before the commencement of this provision, shall be read as a reference to a local fund.

(3) There shall be paid into the local fund all money received by or on behalf of a local authority F116[(including by or on behalf of a successor authority in respect of a dissolved body to which the successor authority relates)], other than money received for the purposes of a community fund established under section 109 F117[or a BID fund established under section 129K].

(4) Subject to section 99, there shall be paid out of the local fund the expenses incurred by a local authority in the performance of its functions, other than expenses payable out of a community fund established under section 109 F117[or a BID fund established under section 129K].

(5) A payment shall not be made out of the local fund unless it is authorised in accordance with section 99 or ordered by a court established under the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act, 1961.

Annotations

Amendments:

F115

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F116

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F117

Inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 3, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 98

Banking arrangements.

98

98.—Subject to section 106, a local authority or joint body may enter into such arrangements, including investment arrangements, with such credit institutions authorised to carry on banking business in the State or financial institutions guaranteed by the Minister for Finance, as it deems appropriate, for the prudent management of moneys received by it.

Section 99

Authorisation of payments.

99

99.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes a joint body.

(2) Payments may be made out of the funds of a local authority on the authorisation of the F118[chief executive] or an employee nominated under subsection (3) and, in each such case, the payments shall be counter-authorised by an employee, other than the F118[chief executive] or first-mentioned employee, nominated under subsection (3).

(3) The manager may for the purposes of subsection (2) by order nominate an employee or employees of a local authority for which the F118[chief executive] is responsible.

Annotations

Amendments:

F118

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 61, 62, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 100

County council expenditure: town services.

100

100.F119[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F119

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E206

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E207

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 101

Expenses of certain town councils.

101

101.F120[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F120

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E208

Power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E209

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 102

Local authority budget.

102

102.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes a joint body.

(2) In each local financial year, each local authority shall prepare a draft local authority budget setting out for the next local financial year—

(a) the expenditure estimated to be necessary to carry out its functions, and

(b) the income estimated to accrue to it.

F121[(3) The draft local authority budget shall be prepared under the direction of the chief executive in the manner and in the format that may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister showing the amounts necessary for the functional programmes of the authority.]

(4) The F122[chief executive] shall, as provided for in section 133(4)(a), consult the corporate policy group in the preparation of a draft local authority budget.

F123[(4A)(a) In the case of a county council or a city and county council, the chief executive shall consult the municipal district members for each municipal district in the councils functional area in the preparation of a draft local authority budget and, for that purpose, a draft budgetary plan for the municipal district shall be prepared under the direction of the chief executive and submitted for consideration by the municipal district members for each municipal district in the manner and in the format that may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(b) In determining the resources to be made available to each municipal district in the draft budgetary plan, the chief executive shall have regard to

(i) the needs of, and the resources available or likely to be available to, the local authority, and

(ii) resource needs of each municipal district including, where appropriate, the population of each municipal district.

(c) Following consideration of a draft budgetary plan under paragraph (a), the municipal district members shall by resolution adopt the draft budgetary plan with or without amendment.

(d) The making of amendments under paragraph (b) by the municipal district members is a reserved function.

(e) The chief executive shall take account of any budgetary plan adopted by the municipal district members in preparing the draft local authority budget (in accordance with subsection (2)).]

(5) Any reference in any enactment to an estimate or estimate of expenses of a local authority shall be read as a reference to a local authority budget prepared under this section and adopted under section 103(7).

Annotations

Amendments:

F121

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F122

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 63, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F123

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(e), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E210

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E211

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2008) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E212

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 103

Local authority budget meeting.

103

103.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes a joint body.

(2) A draft local authority budget prepared in accordance with section 102 shall be considered by the local authority at a meeting (in this Act referred to as a “local authority budget meeting” or budget meeting)—

(a) at which the F124[chief executive] or an employee to whom subsection (3) relates is present,

F125[(b) which is held during the period directed by the Minister, and]

(c) of which not less than 7 days’ notice has been given to every member of the local authority.

(3) Where the F124[chief executive] is unable to be present at a local authority budget meeting or, where it would be inconsistent with the due performance of his or her functions in relation to the local authorities for which he or she is F124[chief executive], to be present at such a meeting, such other employee as may stand nominated for that purpose by the F124[chief executive] shall attend the meeting instead.

(4) Not less than 7 days before the day on which a local authority budget meeting is to be held, the F124[chief executive] shall—

(a) place a copy of the draft local authority budget in the principal offices of the local authority,

(b) send a copy of the draft local authority budget, together with a report outlining the provisions of that draft, to every member of the local authority, and

(c) give public notice of the fact that the draft local authority budget has been prepared and that a copy of it has been placed in the principal offices of the local authority and indicate the place, date and time of the local authority budget meeting.

(5) A copy of a draft local authority budget—

(a) shall be made available at the principal offices of the local authority,

(b) may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours, and

(c) copies may be purchased at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.

(6) The members of a local authority may adjourn a local authority budget meeting from time to time but any such adjournment shall be to a day that is within the period of F124[14 days] beginning on the day on which the local authority budget meeting first begins.

(7) At a local authority budget meeting the local authority—

(a) may by resolution amend the draft local authority budget,

F125[(b) shall by resolution adopt the draft local authority budget with or without amendment, and

(i) shall

(I) F126[]

(II) where appropriate, have regard to the base year adjustment determined in accordance with section 29 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014,

or

(ii) where it is a joint body, shall prepare and by resolution adopt, in accordance with the local authority budget as so adopted, the demand by the joint body whereby the money to meet the expenses of the joint body, in the forthcoming local financial year is to be obtained.]

(8) A copy of a local authority budget as adopted under subsection (7)

(a) shall be made available at the principal offices of the local authority,

(b) may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours, and

(c) may be purchased at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.

F125[(9) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section and section 102, a local authority budget may be adopted and the annual rate on valuation determined (including, where appropriate, having regard to the base year adjustment determined in accordance with section 29 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) in the local financial year to which that budget or that rate applies, where this is in accordance with the period directed by the Minister for holding the local authority budget meeting.]

(10) Where a local authority budget has not been adopted in accordance with this Chapter by a local authority before the beginning of a particular local financial year, it is lawful for the local authority to use money or to incur liability in that local financial year for any particular purpose or functional programme in respect of which money was used or liability was incurred by the local authority in the immediately preceding local financial year.

(11)(a) The amount used or the liability incurred as a consequence of subsection (10) by the local authority shall not exceed one-third of the amount previously used, or of the cost of meeting the liability previously incurred by the local authority in the immediately preceding local financial year.

(b) The Minister may by order vary the fraction referred to in paragraph (a).

(12)(a) Any reference in any enactment to an estimates meeting of a local authority shall be read as a reference to a local authority budget meeting as provided for in this section.

(b) Any reference in any enactment to a rate in the pound or rates in the pound shall be read as a reference to an annual rate on valuation.

Annotations

Amendments:

F124

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 64-67, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F125

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(f)-(h), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F126

Repealed (6.11.2023) by Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 (24/2019), s. 27 and sch. 1 part 1 ref. no. 12, S.I. No. 536 of 2023.

Modifications (not altering text):

C36

Requirements for meeting held under section provided (6.11.2023) by Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 (24/2019), s. 3, S.I. No. 536 of 2023.

Annual rate on valuation

3. At a local authority budget meeting, held under section 103 of the Act of 2001, to consider a draft local authority budget prepared in accordance with section 102 of that Act, the local authority shall, subject to section 6, by resolution determine, in accordance with the local authority budget adopted under section 103 of the said Act, the annual rate on valuation applicable in the calculation of the amount of the rate under section 4.

Editorial Notes:

E213

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E214

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2008) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E215

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 103A
103A

F127[Schedule of municipal district works

103A. (1) As soon as may be following the adoption of the local authority budget, a schedule of proposed works of maintenance and repair to be carried out during the financial year in each municipal district shall be prepared under the direction of the chief executive, having regard to the availability of resources, in the manner, format and within the timescale that may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

(2) A schedule prepared for the purposes of subsection (1) shall be considered by the municipal district members concerned and be adopted by resolution, with or without amendment by it, within such time limit and in accordance with such conditions and requirements as may be prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister.

(3) In making an amendment under subsection (2) the municipal district members shall have due regard to the local authority budget adopted in accordance with section 103(9).

(4) If the schedule prepared for the purpose of subsection (1) is not adopted by the municipal district members in accordance with subsection (2) and any regulations made under that subsection, then the local authority concerned shall consider that schedule and by resolution adopt it with or without amendment (having due regard to the local authority budget adopted in accordance with section 103(9)) within such time limit as may be prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F127

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(i), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 104

Limitation on additional expenditure.

104

104.—(1) In this section—

“additional expenditure” means the spending of money or the incurring of a liability not provided for in a local authority budget;

“local authority” includes a joint body.

(2) At any time after it has adopted a budget a local authority may, following a proposal under subsection (3) or otherwise, by resolution authorise the incurring of additional expenditure.

(3) Where, as respects any local financial year, the F128[chief executive] is of the opinion that the proper performance of the functions of the local authority concerned requires the incurring of additional expenditure, he or she shall submit to the local authority a proposal for authorisation to the incurring of such additional expenditure.

(4)(a) A local authority may by resolution adopt a scheme authorising the F128[chief executive] to incur additional expenditure without prior authorisation of the local authority under subsection (2); but no such expenditure shall cause the total expenditure provided for in the budget to be exceeded save in such circumstances and subject to such requirements as may be provided for in regulations under subsection (5).

(b) A local authority may, from time to time, by resolution amend a scheme under this subsection or make a new scheme.

(5) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of subsection (4).

(6) Nothing in this section shall prevent a F128[chief executive] from incurring additional expenditure—

(a) where he or she is of the opinion that such additional expenditure is necessary to avert or minimise a threat to public health, public safety, property or the environment, or

(b) in respect of a particular service or function where additional funding which would substantially offset such additional expenditure is made available to the local authority by the Minister or any other public authority for that service or function.

(7) Where the F128[chief executive] has incurred additional expenditure under subsection (6), or to which a scheme under subsection (4) applies, he or she shall inform—

(a) without delay, the Cathaoirleach of the fact, and

(b) the members of the local authority of the fact at the next practicable meeting of the local authority following the incurring of additional expenditure,

giving details of the additional expenditure and its implications for the local authority budget.

Annotations

Amendments:

F128

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 68-71, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 105

Submission of financial statements and reports.

105

105.—(1) A local authority or a joint body, may by resolution require the preparation and submission to its members of statements of the financial position of the local authority or joint body, as the case may be.

(2) In the case of a F129[local authority], its corporate policy group may, where a resolution has not been passed under subsection (1), require the preparation and submission to it of statements of the financial position of the F129[local authority].

(3) A statement of financial position submitted as a consequence of either subsection (1) or (2) shall contain such detail and shall be prepared and submitted at such intervals as may be specified in—

(a) the resolution of the local authority or joint body, as appropriate, or

(b) the requirement of the corporate policy group.

Annotations

Amendments:

F129

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(j), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 106

Borrowing and lending of money.

106

106.—(1) (a) In this section—

“local authority” includes a joint body;

“appropriate Minister” means—

(i) if the relevant borrowing or lending is in respect of matters which relate to the responsibility or interest of only one Minister of the Government other than the Minister, that Minister of the Government,

(ii) if such matters relate to the responsibility or interest of 2 or more Ministers of the Government (none of whom is the Minister), such one of those Ministers of the Government as has the greater or greatest interest in the matters, and

(iii) in all other cases, the Minister.

(b) If in relation to paragraph (ii) of the definition of “appropriate Minister” there is any doubt as to which of 2 or more Ministers of the Government has the greater or greatest interest, the doubt shall be determined by the Minister and the decision of the Minister shall be final.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (8) and any regulations made under subsection (5), a local authority may borrow money in any manner which it considers suitable for the effective performance of its functions.

(3)(a) Borrowing by a local authority under this section shall only be with the sanction of the appropriate Minister.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to borrowing which the appropriate Minister may exempt for the purposes of this subsection.

(4) Any application for the sanction of the appropriate Minister under subsection (3)(a) shall be in such format as may from time to time be specified by the appropriate Minister.

F130[(5) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, make regulations in relation to borrowing by local authorities.]

(6)(a) A local authority may lend money to another local authority on such terms as to repayment and other matters as it considers proper.

(b) F131[]

(7) A decision to borrow or lend under this section is a reserved function.

F130[(8) The appropriate Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, sanction borrowing by a local authority in a currency other than the currency of the State.]

(9) Except in accordance with this section, a local authority shall not—

(a) borrow money, or

(b) lend money to another local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F130

Substituted (6.07.2011) by Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), s. 89, commenced as per s. 1(2) and S.I. No. 401 of 2011.

F131

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(k), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 107

Keeping of accounts.

107

107.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), every local authority or joint body shall each keep all proper and usual accounts of moneys received or spent by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet.

(2) Every local authority and joint body shall each establish and maintain financial systems, accounts, reporting and record keeping procedures, including the preparation of an annual financial statement, which are consistent with such accounting code of practice, or amendments to it, that the Minister may issue from time to time.

(3) Any accounting code of practice issued by the Minister which is current on the date of the commencement of this provision, shall be deemed to have issued in accordance with this section and be applicable to every local authority and, where appropriate, to every joint body.

Section 108

Consideration of annual financial statement.

108

108.—(1) In this section, additional expenditure has the meaning given to it by section 104(1).

(2) Every local authority or joint body shall prepare an annual financial statement in accordance with the accounting code of practice issued by the Minister under section 107.

(3) As soon as practicable after the preparation of an annual financial statement, such statement, with a report on it by the F132[chief executive], shall be sent to each member of the local authority or joint body, as the case may be.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), a report under that subsection shall include details of additional expenditure incurred in the period to which the annual financial statement relates and of authorisations given under section 104.

(5) The annual financial statement shall be considered at the next practicable meeting of the local authority or joint body concerned which is held not less than 7 days after the annual financial statement was sent under subsection (3).

(6) As soon as may be practicable after having been sent under subsection (3), the annual financial statement shall be transmitted to the Minister and the Director of Audit.

Annotations

Amendments:

F132

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 72, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 109

Community fund.

109

109.—(1) In this section “community initiative” means any project or programme which in the opinion of the local authority will benefit the local community and includes the provision or improvement of amenity, recreational, cultural or heritage facilities, the protection or enhancement of the environment and programmes to promote social inclusion and community development.

(2) A local authority may by resolution establish a fund (in this section referred to as a “community fund”) for the purposes of supporting community initiatives and may accept contributions to such fund by any voluntary, business or community group, other local authority or public authority or other person and may itself make contributions to such fund.

(3) A community fund shall be separate from the local fund.

(4) (a) The accounts of a community fund shall be accounted for separately and be part of the records and the accounts of the local authority or local authorities which established the fund.

(b) The accounts of a community fund shall contain separate records for contributions in respect of particular community initiatives as the local authority which established it may consider appropriate.

(5) A local authority may enter into an agreement with any person making contributions to the fund as regards the application of money towards a particular community initiative.

(6) A local authority may undertake itself or assist any other person in such fund-raising activities as it considers appropriate for the purposes of a community initiative.

(7) A community fund may be established jointly by resolution of 2 or more local authorities subject to such arrangements as may be agreed by the authorities concerned.

(8) The functions conferred on a local authority by this section or by section 110 shall—

(a) be subject to the exclusion of such matters, and

(b) be exercisable subject to such terms and conditions,

as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, prescribe by regulations.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C37

Functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (8) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Enactments

...

Part 2

1922 to 2011 Enactments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

(1)

(2)

(3)

...

...

...

No. 37 of 2001

Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66(7), 81(6), 92(2), 109(8), 169(1)(a), 212(3) and 231(1)

...

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19/2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

Section 110

Community initiative scheme.

110

110.—(1) In this section—

“community fund” has the meaning given in section 109(2);

“community initiative” has the meaning given in section 109(1);

“dwelling” includes a part of any premises let as a separate dwelling whether or not the person to whom it is let shares with any other person any accommodation, amenity or facility in connection with it or any other portion of the premises;

“occupier” means a person or persons who occupy the dwelling in question;

“scheme” means a scheme adopted by a local authority under this section and “draft scheme” shall be read accordingly.

(2) Where a local authority considers it appropriate it may, in accordance with this section, by resolution adopt a scheme for the making of an annual contribution by the occupier of each dwelling in the area to which the scheme applies towards particular community initiatives specified in the scheme.

(3) Annual contributions received in accordance with a scheme shall be paid into the community fund.

(4) A community initiative to which a scheme applies may be undertaken by a local community or other group, the local authority, any other person or jointly by any of them.

(5) A scheme shall—

(a) describe the particular initiative or initiatives to which annual contributions under the scheme are to be applied,

(b) provide for a separate record to be kept in the community fund as regards such annual contributions,

(c) specify the amount of the annual contribution to be paid by the occupier and different amounts may be specified for different categories of person as may be specified in the scheme,

(d) provide for the waiver or the remission in whole or in part of the annual contribution in the case of personal hardship, ability to pay or other specified circumstances,

(e) specify the period of years for which the scheme is to operate,

(f) specify the period within which an annual contribution is to be paid,

(g) specify the area to which the scheme applies, and

(h) provide for all such other matters as the local authority may consider necessary to ensure the satisfactory operation of the scheme.

(6) (a) Before adopting a scheme, a local authority shall publish a notice in at least one newspaper circulating in its administrative area indicating that a draft scheme has been prepared.

(b) The notice shall—

(i) describe the community initiative or initiatives and the area in respect of which the scheme would operate,

(ii) state the amount of the proposed annual contribution,

(iii) indicate that a copy of the draft scheme may be inspected at the principal offices of the local authority or at such other locations as may be specified and may be obtained free of charge at such offices or locations, and

(iv) indicate that any person may make submissions or observations in writing to the local authority in relation to the draft scheme on or before a date specified in the notice, and the date shall not be less than one month after the notice is first so published.

(7) (a) A local authority may by resolution decide to hold a plebiscite regarding a draft scheme in that part of its area in respect of which it is proposed to make a scheme.

(b) The Minister may make regulations governing the conduct of plebiscites and matters relating to plebiscites.

(8) A local authority may by resolution, for which at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority vote in favour, adopt a scheme with or without amendment at any time after—

(a) the date specified for the purposes of subsection (6)(b)(iv),

(b) the consideration of any submissions or observations made to it under subsection (6)(b)(iv), and

(c) the consideration of the outcome of any plebiscite held under subsection (7).

(9) (a) Where a scheme has been adopted, the local authority shall in each year in which the scheme operates send to the occupier a notification to pay the annual contribution.

(b) The occupier shall pay to the local authority the annual contribution specified in the notification within the period specified.

(10) Where an annual contribution to be made by the occupier in accordance with a notification to pay has not been paid within the period specified for payment in the notification the local authority may recover such annual contribution from the occupier as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(11) A scheme may be made jointly by 2 or more local authorities in respect of an area specified in the scheme which includes part or all of the administrative area of each of the local authorities concerned but a scheme shall not be made in respect of any area which comprises F133[the entire administrative area of a local authority].

(12) A notification to pay shall indicate—

(a) the amount of the annual contribution,

(b) the period within which it is to be paid, and

(c) the community initiative or initiative to which it relates.

(13) A notification to pay may be addressed to any occupier of the dwelling by name, but where the name of the occupier cannot be ascertained by reasonable inquiry, the notification may be addressed to “the occupier” without naming the occupier.

(14) Only one contribution is payable in respect of any dwelling in respect of a particular year.

Annotations

Amendments:

F133

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(l), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 111

Regulations (Chapter 1).

111

111.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for any or all of the following matters—

(a) the form of accounts to be kept by local authorities or joint bodies, including the functional programmes to be shown in such accounts and the matters in respect of which separate amounts are to be shown,

(b) the format of a local authority budget or a draft local authority budget,

(c) F134[]

(d) F134[]

(e) F134[]

(f) the serving of a demand by a joint body in respect of its expenses on the relevant F135[local authority] and the format and period of serving that demand,

(g) specifying the periods within which payments made to persons authorised to receive money on behalf of a local authority shall be paid to the authority,

(h) the financial and administrative procedures to apply in relation to gifts received by a local authority,

(i) such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate in relation to financial management and procedures.

(2) Regulations under this section may make provision in respect of any matter by reference to an accounting code of practice issued under section 107.

Annotations

Amendments:

F134

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(m), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F135

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(n), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E216

Power pursuant to subs. (1)(i) exercised (1.01.2024) by Local Government Rates (Financial Procedures) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 696 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 1(2).

E217

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.08.2015) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 363 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E218

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E219

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E220

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2008) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E221

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 112

Obligations in case of proposal involving illegal payment, deficiency or loss.

112

112.—(1) Where a proposal is made at a meeting of a local authority or a joint body to do or effect any act, matter or thing—

(a) which constitutes a reserved function or is mentioned in a resolution under section 140, and

(b) in consequence of which an illegal payment is to be made out of the funds of the local authority or joint body, or a deficiency or loss is likely to result in or to such funds,

the F136[chief executive] (or, in his or her absence, such other employee as may be nominated by the F136[chief executive]) shall object and state the grounds of his or her objection, and, if a decision is taken on the proposal, the names of the members present and voting for and against the decision and abstaining from voting on the decision shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

F137[(1A) In stating his or her opinion and preparing the report or special report, as the case may be, in accordance with section 120, the local government auditor shall take account of any objection and decision recorded in accordance with subsection (1).]

(2) F138[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F136

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 73, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F137

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(o), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F138

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 58(p), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 113

Savers.

113

113.—(1) Nothing in this Act (including the repeal of any enactment) affects the making, levying, collection or recovery of rates or the liability of a person to pay rates.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, by this Act, section 10A of that Act (as inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Act, 1994) shall continue to apply and have effect and for that purpose—

(a) the reference in subsection (1) of that section to “section 10(4) of this Act” and in subsection (3) of that section to “subsection (4) of section 10” shall both be read as references to section 103(7) of this Act, and

(b) the references in subsections (7) and (8) to “Part IV of the Local Government Act, 1941” shall each be read as a reference to part 21 of this Act.

Chapter 2

Audit

Section 114

Interpretation (Chapter 2).

114

114.—(1) In this Chapter—

“audit committee” has the meaning given in section 122;

“audited financial statement” has the meaning given in section 120(1);

“audit opinion” has the meaning given in section 120(1);

“auditor’s report” has the meaning given in section 120(1);

“auditor’s special report” has the meaning given in section 120(2);

“local authority or other body” means a local authority, a joint body and any other body standing prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 115;

“local government auditor” shall be read in accordance with section 116(1).

(2) Any reference to the Minister in this Chapter shall, in a case where the reference applies to a body prescribed by regulations under section 115 for which another Minister of the Government is responsible, be read as a reference to that Minister.

Section 115

Application (Chapter 2).

115

115.—(1) This Chapter applies to every local authority and every joint body and their accounts shall be audited by a local government auditor in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(2) (a) The Minister may by regulations prescribe a body to be a body to which this Chapter also applies.

(b) The Minister shall not make regulations under this subsection in respect of a body for which another Minister of the Government is directly or indirectly responsible unless that Minister consents to those regulations being made.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E222

Power pursuant to section exercised (29.07.2015) by Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 446 of 2015).

E223

Power pursuant to section exercised (18.02.2015) by Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 62 of 2015).

E224

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2015) by Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3.

E225

Power pursuant to section exercised (25.11.2013) by Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 457 of 2013).

Section 116

Local Government Audit Service.

116

116.—(1) There is established on the commencement of this section a service to be known as the Local Government Audit Service and the Minister may appoint to such service such and so many suitably qualified persons, to be known as local government auditors, to carry out or assist in the carrying out of audits of the accounts of local authorities and other bodies.

(2) Local government auditors shall be independent in the exercise of their professional functions.

(3) The Minister may appoint a person (in this Act referred to as the “Director of Audit”) to the Local Government Audit Service to carry out the functions set out in subsection (4).

(4) The functions of the Director of Audit are—

(a) to organise, direct and allocate resources within the Local Government Audit Service,

(b) to assign audits of particular local authorities or other bodies to particular local government auditors,

(c) to provide such advice and assistance as the Minister may from time to time require for the purposes of section 117(1),

(d) to arrange for auditors to certify claims or returns in accordance with section 126,

(e) to direct the Local Government (Value for Money) Unit established by section 14 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997, and to ensure that the work of the unit is incorporated into local government audit practice,

(f) to report from time to time to the Minister on matters set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) and generally on the performance of the Local Government Audit Service,

(g) to bring proceedings under section 119(4), and

(h) to carry out such other functions as the Minister may from time to time direct.

(5) By virtue of this subsection the Local Government (Value for Money) Unit referred to in subsection (4)(e) forms part of the Local Government Audit Service.

(6) (a) A person who is a local government auditor immediately prior to the commencement of this section shall by virtue of this subsection on such commencement stand assigned to the Local Government Audit Service.

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be read as prejudicing the position of a person referred to in paragraph (a) as a civil servant for the purposes of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956.

Section 117

Code of audit practice.

117

117.—(1) After consideration of the relevant professional auditing standards and following consultation with the Director of Audit, the Minister may issue and amend from time to time a code of audit practice in relation to the conduct of an audit and to such related matters as the Minister may consider appropriate.

(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1), the code may include provisions as regards the consideration of—

(a) the general financial standing of the audited body,

(b) the adequacy of the audited body’s financial systems,

(c) the adequacy of the audited body’s arrangements for preventing and detecting fraud and corruption,

(d) the adequacy of arrangements by a local authority or other body to secure economy and efficiency in the use of resources and of the systems employed by the local authority or other body concerned for the purposes of enabling it to evaluate the effectiveness of its operations.

(3) (a) In carrying out the audit of a local authority or other body, a local government auditor shall comply with the code of audit practice provided for in subsection (1).

(b) Nothing in this Chapter shall prejudice section 15 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997.

Section 118

Audit procedure.

118

118.—(1) The Minister may make regulations setting out the procedures to be followed by a local authority or other body and by a local government auditor in relation to the audit of accounts of the local authority or other body.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may provide for any or all of the following—

(a) giving notice of the time and place for holding the audit;

(b) adjournment of the audit;

(c) public right of inspection of accounts;

(d) amendment or correction of errors in the annual financial statement;

(e) giving any member of the public a right to make an objection to the local government auditor concerning the accounts and the making of decisions on any such objections by the local government auditor;

(f) completion of the audit by the local government auditor;

(g) public notice of audited accounts;

(h) fees or a scale of fees for audit services.

(3) In the course of the audit of accounts of the local authority or other body, the local government auditor shall carry out such audit tests as he or she considers appropriate in order to be satisfied as to—

(a) whether the annual financial statement is prepared in accordance with section 107 or with the accounting requirements otherwise applicable to the body concerned,

(b) whether the annual financial statement presents fairly the financial position of the authority or other body and of its income and expenditure for the period in question,

(c) whether the transactions of the audited body conform with the statutory or other authorisation under which they purport to have been carried out.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E226

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.08.2015) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 363 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E227

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

E228

Power pursuant to section exercised (25.11.2013) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 456 of 2013).

E229

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.01.2014) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2; the only effect of this instrument was to amend S.I. No. 508 of 2002 and on its revocation (below), it ceased to have effect.

E230

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (14.11.2002) by Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 30, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 119

Right of auditor to inspect documents, obtain information, etc.

119

119.—(1) For the purposes of this Chapter a local government auditor shall in the course of audit—

(a) be given such office accommodation or other facilities as he or she may reasonably require,

(b) be given access to and allowed to inspect all books, deeds, contracts, accounts, vouchers, receipts, maps, plans, documents, or other data, information, materials or things, as he or she may reasonably require,

(c) be entitled at all reasonable times to enter and inspect any land or premises or structure (other than a dwelling) which is owned, used, controlled or managed by a local authority or other body.

(2) It is the duty of a local authority (its members and employees) or other body to afford every facility and co-operation to a local government auditor including the giving of information which he or she may reasonably request.

(3) Any person who obstructs or impedes or refuses to comply with a request of a local government auditor acting in the exercise of any of the functions conferred on him or her by this section is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(4) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought by the Director of Audit.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E231

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 120

Audit opinion and report.

120

120.—(1) On completion of the audit of accounts of a local authority or other body, the local government auditor—

(a) shall enter his or her opinion (in this Chapter referred to as an “audit opinion”) in a form consistent with the code of audit practice referred to in section 117 on the relevant annual financial statement (in this Chapter referred to as the “audited financial statement”),

(b) shall send copies of the audited financial statement without delay to the local authority or other body concerned, to the Director of Audit and to the Minister, and

(c) may prepare a report (in this Chapter referred to as an “auditor’s report”) on any matter or matters which come to his or her notice during the course of the audit and such report shall accompany the audited financial statement.

(2) (a) Where the local government auditor considers it appropriate in the public interest to do so, he or she may prepare a report (in this Chapter referred to as an “auditor’s special report”) on any matter or matters which come to his or her notice during the course of the audit before the completion of such audit.

(b) The auditor’s special report shall be sent without delay to the local authority or other body concerned, to the Director of Audit and to the Minister.

(3) An audit opinion, auditor’s report or auditor’s special report shall be addressed to the local authority or other body concerned.

(4) Before the finalisation of an auditor’s report or an auditor’s special report, the local government auditor shall consult with the F139[chief executive] or chief officer of the audited body concerned, as the case may be, in respect of the matters the subject of such report and shall consider and record the comments of the F139[chief executive] or chief officer, as the case may be, which are of material significance to such matters.

Annotations

Amendments:

F139

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 74, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 121

Consideration of annual financial statement and auditor’s report.

121

F140[121.(1) Following receipt by the local authority or joint body (in this section referred to as a "relevant authority") of the audited financial statement, auditors report or auditors special report, the chief executive of the relevant authority shall provide that statement or report to the audit committee for consideration at the next practicable meeting of the committee.

(2) The local government auditor who conducted the audit, or who has been appointed in accordance with section 124, shall attend a meeting of the audit committee to present his or her report and clarify such issues as may be necessary in relation to the content of the auditors report or special report.

(3) The audit committee shall report to the relevant authority on its consideration of the audited financial statement, auditors report or auditors special report at the next practicable meeting of the relevant authority following the audit committees consideration.

(4) At any time within 3 months of the audited financial statement, auditors report or auditors special report having been submitted to the relevant authority in accordance with section 120, the local government auditor who carried out the audit may notify the local authority or joint body that he or she wishes to discuss it with that authority.

(5) Following notification under subsection (4), a local government auditor is entitled to attend the next meeting of the relevant authority following the notification to discuss the audited financial statement, auditors report or auditors special report, as the case may be, or to attend such other meeting of the relevant authority as the local government auditor may specify.

(6) Subject to any guidelines the Minister may issue from time to time, the matters to be discussed by an audit committee or the relevant authority at a meeting during any period when the local government auditor concerned attends shall be limited to matters directly related to the audited financial statement, the auditors report or the auditors special report, as the case may be.

(7) A local government auditor is entitled to qualified privilege in relation to any statements made by him or her at any meeting that he or she attends under this section in his or her capacity as such an auditor.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F140

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 60, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C38

Local authority empowered to require attendance of Chairperson at meeting as provided (6.06.2014) by Local Government (Audit Committee) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 244 of 2014), reg. 14, in effect as per reg. 2.

Report of the audit committee in accordance with section 121 of the Local Government Act 2001

14. (1) At the request of the local authority, the Chairperson of the audit committee shall attend the meeting of the local authority when the report of the committee made under section 121 (3) of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended by section 60 of Local Government Act 2014) is being considered.

(2) The purpose of the attendance of the Chairperson at the meeting specified in paragraph (1) shall be to clarify such issues as may be necessary in the audit committee’s report.

Editorial Notes:

E232

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 75 provides for the substitution of “chief executive” for “manager” in subs. (1). This amendment is obsolete as subs. (1) was substituted by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 60, as per F-note above.

E233

Previous affecting provision: subs. (4) inserted by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 4, not commenced; deleted (1.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(2) and sch. 1 part 2, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 122

Audit committee.

122

F141[122.(1) A local authority shall establish a committee, to be known as an audit committee, within 3 months of

(a) the polling day for the election of the incoming members of the local authority or,

(b) where the poll is for any reason countermanded, interrupted or adjourned, the day on which the poll is completed or the fresh poll is held, and from that establishment any audit committee previously established shall cease to exist.

(2) The functions of an audit committee are

(a) to review financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within the local authority that has established it,

(b) to foster the development of best practice in the performance by the local authority of its internal audit function,

(c) to review any audited financial statement, auditors report or auditors special report in relation to the local authority and assess any actions taken within that authority by its chief executive in response to such a statement or report and to report to that authority on its findings,

(d) to assess and promote efficiency and value for money with respect to the local authoritys performance of its functions, and

(e) to review systems that are operated by the local authority for the management of risks.

(3) The Minister may prescribe by regulations for all or any of the following matters regarding an audit committee:

(a) its membership;

(b) the holding by it of meetings, including the frequency of those meetings and the conduct of them;

(c) the preparation of reports by it and the furnishing of them to other persons;

(d) the performance by it of its functions, whether generally or in particular cases, and the procedures to be followed in relation to that performance;

(e) the provision for privilege to attach to statements made to it or made by members of the committee in their capacity as such members;

(f) such other matters that are incidental to, or consequential on, any of the matters set out in paragraphs (a) to (e).]

Annotations

Amendments:

F141

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 59, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E234

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 76 provides for the substitution of “chief executive” for “manager” in subs. (7). This amendment is obsolete as the section was substituted by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 59, as per F-note above.

E235

Previous affecting provision: section substituted by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 5, not commenced; deleted (1.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(2) and sch. 1 part 2, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 123

Extraordinary audit.

123

123.—(1) The Minister may direct that an extraordinary audit of accounts of a local authority or other body, or of an aspect of those accounts, be carried out by a local government auditor if it appears to the Minister appropriate to do so, by reason of information contained in an auditor’s report or a special auditor’s report or for any other reason.

(2) Sections 117 to 119 apply to the conduct of an extraordinary audit, with any necessary modifications or adaptations.

(3) Sections 120 to 122 apply to a report resulting from an extraordinary audit.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E236

Extraordinary audit held in pursuance of section deemed complete on signature of relevant audit report (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 19, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 124

Re-assignment of audit.

124

124.—(1) Where the local government auditor who conducted or is conducting an audit dies, retires, resigns or is otherwise not available, the Director of Audit may assign another local government auditor to be the local government auditor for the audit.

(2) At any attendance by a local government auditor assigned under subsection (1) at any meeting of a local authority or joint body he or she shall be deemed to have conducted the audit.

Section 125

Audit fees.

125

125.—(1) The Minister may from time to time prescribe by regulations a fee or scale of fees in respect of the audits of accounts which are required to be audited in accordance with this Act.

(2) A local authority or other body shall pay to the Minister such amount as determined in accordance with such regulations made under this section.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E237

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.09.2015) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 447 of 2015).

E238

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.03.2015) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 109 of 2015).

E239

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (19.11.2003) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 622 of 2003); revoked (10.03.2015) by Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 109 of 2015), reg. 5.

Section 126

Certification of claims, returns, etc.

126

126.—If required by the Minister, the Director of Audit shall make arrangements for local government auditors to certify claims or returns, or any class of claims or returns, in respect of grants, subsidies or other money due to a local authority or other body by a department of State, public authority or other local authority.

PART 12A

National Oversight and Audit Commission

Section 126A
126A

Interpretation (Part 12A)

126A. In this Part

"appropriate Minister" means any Minister of the Government (other than the Minister)

(a) on whom functions stand conferred, or

(b) who has general responsibility,

in respect of or in connection with the matter in question;

"Commission" means the National Oversight and Audit Commission established under this Part;

"local authority" includes a joint body and a joint committee;

"local government body" means

(a) a local authority,

(b) a regional assembly,

(c) any trust or other body (whether corporate or unincorporated) over which one or more local authorities or regional assemblies, or both, exercise actual or effective control whether directly or indirectly through nominees (however described) or otherwise,

and includes any trust or other body, or a class of trust or other body, to which a determination under section 126L(3) relates;

"report", in relation to a report of the Commission other than its annual report, means a report or information under section 126C(1)(i) or a report under section 126D.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F142

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126B
126B

F143[Establishment of Commission

126B. (1) The Minister shall by order establish a body to be known as the National Oversight and Audit Commission (in this Part referred to as the "Commission") to perform the functions assigned to it by this Part.

(2) The Commission and its members are independent in the performance of their functions.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F143

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E240

Power pursuant to subs. (1) exercised (1.07.2014) by National Oversight and Audit Commission (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 297 of 2014).

Section 126C
126C

F144[Functions of Commission

126C.(1) The functions of the Commission are as follows:

(a) to scrutinise the performance of any local government body against or in comparison with any indicative matter (in this Part referred to as "relevant indicators") that

(i) the Commission considers it appropriate to refer to (which shall include indicative matters relating to customer service), or

(ii) the Minister may prescribe by regulations for the purpose of this paragraph;

(b) to scrutinise the financial performance, including in relation to value for money, of any local government body, in respect of the financial resources available to it;

(c) to support the development and enhancement of best practice in the performance by local government bodies of their respective functions;

(d) to monitor and evaluate adherence to any agreement in the nature of a service level agreement entered into by one or more local government bodies, whether or not all parties to such an agreement are local government bodies;

(e) to oversee how national policy in relation to local government is implemented by local government bodies;

(f) to monitor and evaluate the implementation of public service reform (including enhanced efficiencies) by local government bodies either generally or in respect of any local government body or class of such bodies;

(g) to monitor the adequacy of the corporate plan prepared

(i) by a regional assembly pursuant to section 43 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014) of the Local Government Act 1991, and

(ii) by a council pursuant to section 134,

and to evaluate implementation of such plans either generally or in respect of any local government body or class of such bodies;

(h) to take such steps as are appropriate under its other functions for the purposes of any request under section 126D and to furnish reports or other information in relation to that request to the Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be;

(i) in addition to reports or other information furnished under section 126D and to its annual reports under section 126K, to prepare on its own initiative such other reports or information on matters relating to its functions as the Commission considers appropriate.

(2) The Commission has power to do anything that appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or to facilitate, the performance of its functions, including the making of arrangements by agreement with any person or body to assist the Commission in the proper discharge of any of its functions.

(3)(a) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, by order confer on the Commission such additional functions connected with the functions for the time being of the Commission as the Minister determines, subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order.

(b) An order under paragraph (a) may contain such incidental, supplementary and additional provisions as may, in the opinion of the Minister, be necessary to give full effect to the order.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F144

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126D
126D

F145[Reports to Minister or appropriate Minister

126D. (1) The Minister or an appropriate Minister may in writing request the Commission to prepare a report on any matter to which the functions of the Commission relate in respect of any aspect of local government specified by the Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be, in respect of which he or she performs functions or has general responsibilities.

(2) A request under subsection (1) shall relate to one or more local government bodies specified in the request or to a class of such bodies so specified.

(3) Where a request has been made under subsection (1) the Commission shall, to the extent that its functions permit, comply with the request and have regard to such considerations or matters in preparing its report as are specified in the request.

(4)(a) Where the Commission considers it appropriate in the circumstances, the Commission may, following consultation with the regional assembly or regional assemblies concerned, require it or them to prepare and submit for the Commissions consideration a draft of any such report.

(b) A draft report prepared and submitted to the Commission under paragraph (a) may be amended by it as it sees fit and any such report, whether amended or not, that has been adopted by the Commission and is subsequently submitted by the Commission to the Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be, shall for the purposes of subsection (1) be deemed to be a report prepared by the Commission.

(c) Without prejudice to the Commissions duty to prepare a report when requested under subsection (1), a draft report prepared and submitted to the Commission under paragraph (a)

(i) may be submitted by the Commission to the Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be, without being adopted by the Commission under paragraph (b), and

(ii) any such report so submitted by the Commission shall be accompanied by a note stating that it has not been adopted and giving the reasons why it has not been adopted.

(5) A report of the Commission to the Minister or the appropriate Minister under this section shall

(a) be in writing,

(b) where appropriate, include the responses by the local government body to which the report relates to queries from the Commission,

(c) include the recommendations of the Commission in relation to the matters which are the subject of the report, and

(d) include recommendations in relation to such ancillary or related matters (including financial matters) as the Commission may consider appropriate or as the Minister or the appropriate Minister may specify in a request under subsection (1).

(6)(a) The Minister or the appropriate Minister shall furnish a copy of a report provided to him or her by the Commission under this section to

(i) each local government body that is the subject matter of the report,

(ii) in the case of a local government body other than a local authority or a regional assembly, to each local authority or regional assembly that exercises actual or effective control within the meaning of "local government body" in section 126A,

(iii) the Joint Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas to which has been assigned the role of examining matters relating to local government, and

(iv) any other Joint Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas which has general responsibility in respect of or connected with the matters to which the report relates.

(b) Where a report has been furnished under paragraph (a), the Minister or the appropriate Minister shall advise the Commission accordingly and the Commission shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, cause the report to be published.

(7) Within 28 days of receipt of a report pursuant to subsection (6) in respect of a local authority for which he or she is chief executive, or in respect of any local government body over which the local authority exercises actual or effective control, the chief executive shall present to the council an implementation plan setting out the steps to be taken in relation to that report.

(8) The adoption of an implementation plan referred to in subsection (7), other than any part of such plan that exercises or would seek to exercise functions in relation to the employees of the local authority or employees of any local government body over which the local authority exercises actual or effective control, shall be a reserved function.

(9) A local authority or regional assembly which is the subject of a report, or is an authority or assembly that exercises actual or effective control over a local government body which is the subject of a report, published under this section shall, in its annual report, include reference to the steps taken in relation to that report during the period to which the annual report relates.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F145

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126E
126E

F146[Requests for information, etc., made to local government body, etc.

126E. (1) It is the duty of every local government body

(a) to have due regard to a request made to it by the Commission for any information, document or thing, which in the opinion of the Commission is relevant to assist the Commission in the performance of its functions, and

(b) subject to subsections (2) and (3), to comply with all such requests so made.

(2) Where proceedings are instituted by the Commission

(a) against a local government body for breach of duty under this section, and

(b) for the purposes of seeking compliance with the request concerned or a specified part of that request,

it shall be a valid defence for the local government body to show that the request made by the Commission, or so much of the request in respect of which the proceedings relate, was materially disproportionate to what was required to achieve the intended result of the request or that part of the request to which the proceedings relate.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be read as requiring the disclosure of confidential information, the disclosure of which would be in breach of non-disclosure obligations provided for by law or the disclosure of commercially sensitive information.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F146

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126F
126F

F147[Requests for information, etc., made to certain public authorities

126F. A public authority to which section 126E does not apply shall have due regard to a request made to it by the Commission for any information, document or thing, which in the opinion of the Commission is relevant to assist the Commission in the performance of its functions, and to use its best endeavours to facilitate such a request.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F147

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126G
126G

F148[Submissions to Commission

126G.(1) The Commission may give public notice of its intention to prepare a report (in this section referred to as a "proposed report") to which section 126C(1)(i) or 126D relates.

(2) The public notice referred to in subsection (1), which shall be published in a newspaper circulating in the area to which the subject matter of the proposed report relates, shall indicate that

(a) any person may make a submission to the Commission in relation to the subject matter of the proposed report in a manner and within the period as is specified in that notice, and

(b) submissions received by the Commission within the period specified in that notice may be made available for public inspection.

(3) The Commission shall consider any submissions made to it in accordance with the public notice or made by a local government body under this section or otherwise.

(4) Submissions received by the Commission under this section may be made available by them for public inspection

(a) at such time and place and under such conditions as may be specified by the Commission and for that purpose may be made available by the Commission on its internet website, and

(b) where not published by the Commission on its internet website, the Commission shall permit a copy of such submissions or of extracts from them to be taken on payment of a fee which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of copying the submissions.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F148

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126H
126H

F149[Members of Commission

126H. (1) Subject to subsection (4) and section 126I(7), the Commission consists of not more than 9 but not less than 6 members, one of whom shall be the chairperson of the Commission.

(2) The chairperson of the Commission shall be appointed by the Minister.

(3) Each member of the Commission shall hold office for a period which the Minister shall determine, not exceeding 5 years from the date of appointment to the office and shall include

(a) one or more persons having knowledge or experience of local government affairs,

(b) one or more persons having knowledge or experience in finance, audit, evaluation or project assessment,

(c) one or more persons having knowledge or experience in business, commerce, administration, corporate governance or community development,

(d) one or more persons having knowledge or experience in the statutory or voluntary bodies dealing with consumer issues, and

(e) one or more than one person who is an officer of the Minister.

(4) The members of the Commission may include

(a) one but no more than one person who is an employee of a local authority, and

(b) one but no more than one person who is a member of a local authority,

but shall not include a person who is a member of a regional assembly.

(5) Any member of the Commission who, subsequent to appointment to the Commission, becomes an employee of a local authority, member of a local authority or member of a regional assembly shall, for the purposes of subsection (4) and section 126I(5) (d), in writing inform the Minister and the chairperson of the Commission accordingly.

(6) A member of the Commission shall not take part in the preparation or a decision to adopt or not adopt a report under section 126C(1)(i) or section 126D in respect of a local authority or regional assembly if he or she is, or was at the material time, an employee or elected member of that authority or assembly, as the case may be.

(7) The Minister, to the extent practicable, shall endeavour to ensure that there is an equitable balance between men and women in the membership of the Commission.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F149

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126I
126I

F150[Eligibility and tenure of office of members, etc.

126I.(1) A person appointed to be a member of the Commission holds office as such member for such period, terms and conditions as may be specified by the Minister at the time of his or her appointment.

(2) The chairperson and any other member of the Commission may be paid, out of moneys at the disposal of the Minister, such remuneration (if any) and allowances for expenses incurred by the member as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may determine.

(3)(a) A person is disqualified from becoming a member of the Commission if he or she is

(i) a member of either House of the Oireachtas, or

(ii) a member of the European Parliament.

(b) A person ceases to be a member of the Commission if he or she

(i) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,

(ii) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a member of the European Parliament,

(iii) is regarded under Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997, as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy,

(iv) becomes a member of a regional assembly, or

(v) fails to attend at 6 consecutive meetings of the Commission where

(I) in the case of a member other than the chairperson, the chairperson is of the opinion that the absence is not due to an acceptable reason such as illness or force majeure,

(II) in the case of the chairperson, a majority of the Commission is of the opinion that the absence is not due to an acceptable reason such as illness or force majeure.

(4) A member of the Commission, including the chairperson, may at any time resign from office by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation takes effect from the date of receipt of the letter by the Minister.

(5) The Minister may remove from office any member of the Commission (including the chairperson) if, in the opinion of the Minister

(a) that person has become incapable through ill-health of effectively performing the duties of the office,

(b) the member has committed stated misbehaviour,

(c) the member has a conflict of interest of such significance that, in the opinion of the Minister, the member should cease to hold office, or

(d) the removal of the member appears to the Minister to be necessary or desirable

(i) for the effective performance by the Commission of its functions, or

(ii) to comply with the requirements of section 126H(4).

(6) A person may not be the chairperson of the Commission or, except in the case of an appointment to which section 126H(3)(e) relates, a member of the Commission for more than 2 consecutive terms of office but is otherwise eligible for re-appointment to be a member of the Commission.

(7)(a) Notwithstanding section 126H(1), the Minister, as required, may by order under this subsection increase the number of members of the Commission to not more than 12 members where, in the opinion of the Minister, it is necessary taking account of the volume of business coming before the Commission and the need to ensure the effective and efficient discharge by the Commission of its functions, but any such increase is for such temporary period as shall be specified in the order and shall not exceed 2 years from the date of the commencement of the order.

(b) Upon expiry of an order under paragraph (a), the Minister may make a further order in accordance with the provisions of that paragraph.

(8) A person shall be disqualified from holding and shall cease to hold office as a member of the Commission if he or she

(a) is an undischarged bankrupt,

(b) is convicted on indictment of an offence, or is convicted outside the State of an offence consisting of acts or omissions which would constitute an offence triable on indictment if done or made in the State,

(c) is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, or

(d) has a declaration under section 150 of the Companies Act 1990 made against him or her or is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order by virtue of Part VII of that Act.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F150

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E241

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.08.2023) by National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 428 of 2023).

E242

Power pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (22.10.2018) by National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 442 of 2018).

E243

Power pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (19.10.2016) by National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 536 of 2016).

E244

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (1.07.2014 to 1.07.2016) by National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 298 of 2014).

Section 126J
126J

F151[Meetings and procedures of Commission

126J.(1) The Commission shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.

(2) The chairperson of a meeting of the Commission shall be

(a) the chairperson of the Commission if present, or

(b) if and so long as the chairperson of the Commission is not present or if the office of chairperson is vacant, the members of the Commission who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting.

(3) At a meeting of the Commission

(a) subject to paragraph (c), each member of the Commission present has one vote,

(b) every question at a meeting of the Commission shall be determined by consensus, but where in the opinion of the chairperson or other person presiding consensus is not possible, the question shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question, and

(c) in the case of an equal division of votes in circumstances to which paragraph (b) relates, the chairperson of the meeting has a second or casting vote.

(4) Subject to such standing orders as the Commission may make under subsection (5) regarding a quorum, the Commission may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership.

(5) The Commission shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of the Commission, including the keeping of a record of its meetings and of decisions taken.

(6)(a) The Commission has an absolute discretion to hold an oral hearing in relation to any matter in respect of which functions are conferred on it by this Part and the hearing may be conducted by

(i) one or more members of the Commission,

(ii) one or more members of the Commission, together with one or more other persons appointed by the Commission for that purpose, or

(iii) one or more other persons appointed by the Commission for that purpose.

(b) The persons (including any members of the Commission) conducting an oral hearing under paragraph (a) shall make a report in writing on the hearing to the Commission and shall include in the report such recommendations as are considered appropriate with respect to the subject of the report.

(c) The Commission shall consider a report made to it under paragraph (b) before deciding on the recommendations that it will make in its report.

(7) Where the number of members of the Commission has been increased by order under section 126I(7)(a), any function of the Commission may be exercised by a division of the Commission comprising of at least 4 of its members and meetings and decisions of any such division are, for all purposes, meetings and decisions of the Commission.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F151

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126K
126K

F152[Governance of Commission

126K.(1) Not later than the 30th day of April in each year, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Minister a report (in this section referred to as the "annual report of the Commission") in relation to the performance of its functions during the preceding year and shall, as soon as may be, furnish a copy of that report to such other persons as it may consider appropriate.

(2) An annual report of the Commission shall include the following in respect of the year to which it relates:

(a) particulars of the policies, programmes, services and other activities undertaken by the Commission;

(b) such particulars as may be required by a provision of any other enactment;

(c) such other particulars (including financial statements) as the Commission may determine to be appropriate to include in the report or as may be directed by the Minister;

(d) the total number of meetings of the Commission held during that year and, in respect of each member of the Commission

(i) number of meetings of the Commission attended by the member during that year, and

(ii) the number of such meetings so held while a member of the Commission.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F152

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 126L
126L

F153[Regulations and determinations (Part 12A)

126L.(1) The Minister may by regulations prescribe any matter of procedure as regards the appointment and operation of the Commission or the carrying out of its functions.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may provide for any of the following:

(a) the conduct of any oral hearing held by the Commission under section 126J(6), the procedures at such a hearing, the representation of a local authority or regional assembly at such a hearing or the attendance of persons at such a hearing;

(b) for the purposes of section 126C(1)(f), identifying or clarifying matters relating to public sector reform by local government bodies;

(c) prescribing relevant indicators for the purposes of section 126C(1)(a).

(3)(a) Where

(i) any doubt, dispute or question arises or, in the opinion of the Minister, is likely to arise as to whether a trust or other body or a class of such trust or other body is or is not a trust or other body or a class thereof to which paragraph (c) of the definition of "local government body" applies, and

(ii) the Minister is of the opinion that such trust, other body or class is one to which the said paragraph (c) applies,

then the Minister shall determine the matter accordingly and shall communicate his or her determination in writing to the Commission and to the local authorities and regional assemblies concerned.

(b) The Minister shall not make a determination under paragraph (a) in respect of a trust or other body, or of a class of trusts or other bodies, for which another Minister of the Government is directly or indirectly responsible unless that other Minister consents to that determination being made and every communication for the purposes of that paragraph shall disclose any such consent.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F153

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 13

Local Authorities and the Local Community

Chapter 1]

Annotations

Amendments:

F154

Sections 127 and 128 designated as “chapter 1” (1.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 127

Consultation with the local community.

127

F155[127.(1) A local authority may take such steps as it considers appropriate to consult with and promote effective participation by the local community in local government.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) a local authority may

(a) undertake such action under section 64 as the authority may consider appropriate,

(b) establish strategic policy committees in accordance with Part 7,

(c) consult with local sectoral, community or other groups,

(d) arrange for the representation on relevant committees of the authority of persons having knowledge or experience of relevance to the work of the particular committee,

(e) consult with a recognised association under section 128,

(f) make arrangements for attendance and raising of issues by interested persons at meetings of the authority or of any of its committees in accordance with such rules as may be determined by resolution of the authority,

(g) arrange for the holding of information meetings and the dissemination of information to the public in relation to any matter connected with its functions.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) each local authority shall, in accordance with regulations made under subsection (6) and general guidelines issued under subsection (7), adopt a document to be known as a Framework for Public Participation in Local Government (in this section referred to as the "Framework") for the purposes of promoting, developing and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to participation in decision-making processes of the local authority by the local community.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the Framework shall seek to provide for participation by the local community within municipal districts and shall include the following:

(a) participatory mechanisms to promote, support and facilitate the local communitys input into decision making by the local authority, without prejudice to any consultation procedures provided for in any enactment;

(b) clear and transparent mechanisms for the selection of members of the local community to participate in such participatory mechanisms including selection processes that seek to balance gender, geography, social inclusion, sectoral, age and other interests and factors;

(c) mechanisms to monitor, measure and evaluate participation by members of the local community with local government and to provide information to the local community arising from such monitoring, measurement and evaluation;

(d) mechanisms to provide for accountability of such participants to the local community;

(e) mechanisms for the provision of information by the local authority to the local community.

(5) In developing the Framework, a local authority may take such steps as it considers appropriate to consult with the local community, including local sectoral, community or other groups.

(6)(a) The Minister may make regulations relating to the adoption and establishment of a Framework by each local authority and its implementation, review and revision by the local authority concerned.

(b) Regulations under this subsection may be made in respect of local authorities generally or in respect of any particular class or classes of local authorities as determined by those regulations.

(7)(a) The Minister may issue general policy guidelines to local authorities for the purposes of any provision of this section (including any regulations made under subsection (6)) and each local authority shall comply with any such guidelines that relate to it.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), guidelines under this section may provide for any of the following:

(i) assistance to the local community with the preparation of strategies within municipal districts for the well-being of all;

(ii) provision of opportunities for networking, communication and the sharing of information with the local community;

(iii) mechanisms to support inclusion of socially excluded groups;

(iv) developing capacity and supports for public engagement and participation;

(v) participatory mechanisms;

(vi) consultation procedures and processes;

(vii) mechanisms for the provision of information;

(viii) accountability mechanisms.

(8)(a) Where in relation to any function of a local authority under this or under any other enactment the relevant enactment requires the publication of a notice in a newspaper or on the local authoritys website and the invitation of submissions or observations in connection with the performance of that function, the local authority may take such additional steps as it may consider appropriate to publicise, facilitate or promote the consultation process including the use of other forms of communications, including local radio stations, and the use of electronic forms of communication.

(b) A local authority may, in respect of reports, plans or any other material in relation to the performance of its functions, arrange for the making available or display of such materials at suitable locations (which locations may include the internet) additional to those required by this or any other enactment.

(9) An elected council may, by resolution, require that specified action be taken in accordance with this section for the purpose of consultation with the local community.

(10) Nothing in this section shall be read as limiting or departing from the role of a local authority as an elected body.

(11) The procedures and actions provided for under this section to promote and facilitate public engagement under the Framework may supplement but shall not be read as limiting or restricting

(a) any consultation procedures, or

(b) any procedures requiring consultation,

that are otherwise provided for under any enactment and any actions taken under the Framework, or any failure to take any specified action under the Framework, shall not affect any such consultation procedures or procedures.

(12) The adoption of the Framework to promote and facilitate participation by the local community under this section is a reserved function.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F155

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 46, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C39

Application of subs. (2)(f) extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 11, in effect as per reg. 3.

Making of arrangements for attendance and raising of issues by interested persons at meetings.

11. The provision of section 127(2)(f) for the attendance and raising of issues by interested parties at meetings shall apply to meetings of municipal district members as if the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the references to “the authority” were references to “the members”.

Section 128

Recognised associations.

128

128.—(1) A local authority may declare that any body, whether corporate or unincorporate, be a recognised association for the purposes of this section where the local authority is of the opinion that the body is concerned with promoting the interests of the local community, or any part of or group within the local community, or of all or a part of the administrative area of that local authority.

(2) A local authority may—

(a) consult a recognised association on any relevant matter,

(b) provide assistance in money or in kind to such association,

(c) make arrangements with a recognised association under section 13(6) of the Roads Act, 1993, or Chapter 4 of Part 9

(d) enter into an agreement in writing with a recognised association for the carrying out by the association on behalf of the local authority of certain functions of the authority which in its opinion may be satisfactorily carried out by the recognised association, subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and other requirements as the authority considers necessary and specifies in the agreement.

(3) Subsection (2)(d) does not apply in respect of a reserved function, the function to make arrangements under section 13(6) of the Roads Act, 1993, or Chapter 4 of Part 9 or any other function as the Minister may prescribe by regulations.

(4) Any works or other thing carried out or done by a recognised association in good faith as a result of an agreement made under subsection (2)(d) and in accordance with every requirement of such agreement shall be regarded as if the works or other thing was duly authorised, carried out or done by the local authority.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), a local authority may have regard as to whether in its opinion—

(a) a body is properly constituted and representative,

(b) adequate financial and accounting arrangements are in place, and

(c) the body is in a position to comply with such requirements as the local authority may in all the circumstances of the case consider necessary and reasonable for such purposes.

(6) A declaration under subsection (1) is a reserved function.

(7) The Minister may by regulations prescribe such matters relating to recognised associations as he or she considers appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to this section including the procedures to be followed for the termination of an agreement under subsection (2)(d).

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E245

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 590 of 2001).

Chapter 2

Local Community Development Committees

Section 128A
128A

Interpretation (Chapter 2)

128A. In this Chapter

"chief officer", in relation to a Committee, means the person designated as such by the chief executive of the local authority concerned under section 128E(1);

"Committee" means a Local Community Development Committee;

"community elements of the Plan" means those parts of a local economic and community plan relating to the local and community development of the functional area of the Committee pursuant to section 66B;

"economic elements of the Plan" means those parts of a local economic and community plan relating to the promotion of economic development of the administrative area of the local authority pursuant to section 66B;

"functional area of a Committee", in relation to a Committee, means the area to which the Committee relates, being the same area as the administrative area of the local authority concerned or such part of that area as may be determined by a resolution of the local authority under section 49A;

"local and community development programme" means any action, intervention, programme, scheme or any other support, financial or otherwise, which is concerned with promoting the interests of local communities and includes matters to which section 66(3) relates;

"Local Community Development Committee" means the committee established pursuant to section 49A;

"Plan" means the local economic and community plan to which section 66B relates;

"publicly funded body" means a body whose funds, directly or indirectly and in whole or in part, come out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the purpose of performing its functions;

"representatives of local community interests", in relation to the functional area of a Committee, means persons who are representative of community interests that are concerned with promoting the development of aspects of those interests within that area and such representatives may include representatives of non-governmental organisations, development agencies, community-based groups, recognised associations for the purposes of section 128, youth organisations, cultural bodies, sporting bodies and social movements and networks.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F156

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 128B
128B

F157[Functions of Local Community Development Committees

128B. (1) The functions of a Committee are

(a) to prepare and adopt the community elements of every 6 year local economic and community plan concerned in accordance with section 66C and any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for the purposes of that section,

(b) to implement, or to arrange for the implementation of, the community elements of the Plan (as the case may be) as made by the local authority in accordance with section 66C(4),

(c) to undertake a review of the community elements of the Plan at least once within the period of 6 calendar years after the Plan was adopted or last amended for the purposes of this paragraph and, if the Committee considers it necessary after any such review

(i) to amend the community elements of the Plan, or

(ii) to prepare and adopt new community elements of the Plan to be made by the local authority under section 66C,

and any such amendment or adoption shall be in accordance with any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for that purpose,

(d) to monitor and review on an ongoing basis the implementation of the community elements of the Plan, including performance against any benchmarks or indicators of performance set out in the community elements of the Plan or other relevant indicators and, if the Committee considers appropriate, to revise the actions and strategies set to achieve the objectives of those elements of the Plan,

(e) in furtherance of paragraph (b), to co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes that have been either

(i) approved by resolution from time to time for that purpose by the local authority concerned in respect of all or part of its administrative area, or

(ii) agreed for that purpose between the Committee and a public authority,

and to ensure that any plans and strategies related to those programmes are implemented in accordance with the community elements of the Plan,

(f) to seek to ensure effectiveness, consistency, co-ordination and avoidance of duplication between the local and community development programmes to which paragraph (e) applies and the functions of the local authority in relation to promoting the interests of local communities or in other related functions under section 66 (as provided for by subsection (2)) or otherwise,

(g) in addition to those programmes to which paragraphs (e) and (f) apply, to pursue the co-ordination generally of all local and community development programmes within the functional area of the Committee, so as to optimise resources for the benefit of local communities in that area and improve the efficiency with which publicly-funded local and community development resources are used,

(h) to consider and adopt a statement in respect of the economic elements of a draft of the Plan prepared by the local authority in accordance with section 66C, and

(i) not later than 31 March in each year, to prepare, adopt and submit to the local authority a report in relation to the performance of its functions during the year immediately preceding the year in which the report is submitted.

(2) The functions of a local authority under section 66, shall be deemed to be delegated to a Committee, in so far as those functions are necessary for the performance by the Committee of its functions otherwise provided for by this section.

(3)(a) The Committee may enter into an agreement in writing with a public authority, local development or community development body, or other person for the carrying out of those functions by such an authority, body or person, as the case may be, which the Committee considers appropriate to be carried out by such an authority, body or person, subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and other requirements as the Committee considers necessary and specifies in the agreement.

(b) In this subsection a "local development or community development body" includes a not-for-profit organisation that provides programmes, offers services or engages in other activities that promote and support the interests of a local community or any part of a community or group within a local community.

(4)(a) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, by order confer on a Committee or Committees such additional functions connected with the functions for the time being of a Committee, class of Committees or Committees generally (as the case may be) as the Minister determines, subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order.

(b) The Minister may make such provision as he or she considers necessary or expedient in respect of matters ancillary to or arising out of any of the functions referred to in paragraph (a).

(c) The Minister shall not make an order under this subsection in respect of functions for which another Minister of the Government is directly or indirectly responsible unless that Minister consents to that order being made.

(5) The Committee, in performing its functions, shall have regard to

(a) the resources, wherever originating from, that are available or likely to become available to it for the purpose of such performance and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of such resources,

(b) the need for co-operation with, and the co-ordination of its activities with those of local authorities, public authorities and publicly funded bodies, the performance of some of whose functions affect or may affect the Committee, so as to ensure efficiency and economy in the performance by the Committee of its functions,

(c) the need for consultation with public authorities and publicly funded bodies in appropriate cases,

(d) the need for consistency with the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government or other public authority in so far as they may affect or relate to the Committees functions,

(e) the need to integrate sustainable development considerations into policy development and implementation, and

(f) the need to promote social inclusion.

(6) The Committee has all such powers as are necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of its functions under this section.

(7) Subject to subsections (2) and (8), this section and section 49A are without prejudice to and do not restrict the functions of a local authority in relation to promoting the interests of local communities or other related functions under section 66 or otherwise.

(8) Section 140 shall not apply to the performance of any functions of the Committee and any resolution purporting to be passed under that section in relation to those functions which contravenes this subsection is void.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F157

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 128C
128C

F158[Membership of Local Community Development Committees

128C. (1) Subject to and in accordance with any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for the purposes of this section, the membership of a Committee shall comprise partly of persons who are and partly of persons who are not members of the local authority concerned.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Committee shall include

(a) members of the local authority,

(b) the chief executive of the local authority or such other person employed by, or seconded to, the local authority (either by name or by reference to the person for the time being holding or exercising the functions of a particular post in that authority) standing nominated for the time being by the chief executive,

(c) representatives of public authorities having responsibility for the provision of services to or within, the area of the Committee,

(d) representatives of local community interests,

(e) individuals acting in a private capacity who are or have been members or otherwise associated with any body (however described) of a type referred to in the definition of "local community representatives" in section 128A,

(f) representatives of publicly funded or supported local development bodies concerned with promoting the interests of local communities, and

(g) such other persons or bodies (if any) as may be provided for by such regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister under section 128E.

(3)(a) The chief officer of the Committee shall, in consultation with the Corporate Policy Group, seek and select nominees to the Committee, from time to time, in accordance with subsection (2) and any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for that purpose, and shall submit a list of recommended nominees to the members of the local authority for their consideration.

(b) The nominees shall be appointed to the Committee, without omission or addition, by resolution of the local authority.

(c) If the recommended nominees have not been appointed in accordance with paragraph (b) either because

(i) the local authority did not pass the resolution concerned on any of the 2 days upon which it has met after submission of the list of recommended nominees under paragraph (a), or

(ii) 60 days have elapsed since submission under paragraph (a) of the list of nominees,

then the recommended nominees shall be deemed to have been appointed on the day following the last day to which subparagraph (i) or (ii) relates, whichever first occurs.

(4) The members of a Committee shall elect one of their number to be the chairperson.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F158

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E246

Timeframes for submission of list of recommended nominees and convening of first meeting following appointment of nominees in accordance with subs. (3) prescribed (1.06.2014) by Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 234 of 2014), reg. 4, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 128D
128D

F159[Staffing of Local Community Development Committee

128D. (1) The chief executive of a local authority shall assign an employee or employees of the local authority (either by name or by reference to the employee for the time being holding or exercising the functions of a particular post in that authority)

(a) to assist the Committee in performing its functions, and

(b) one of those persons shall be designated by the chief executive to be the chief officer of the Committee and have responsibility for carrying out, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of the Committee and arranging for the provision of appropriate administrative, secretarial and other support.

(2) The chief executive of the local authority may delegate such of his or her functions as he or she considers necessary to an employee or employees of the local authority for the purpose of subsection (1) and section 154 shall apply for the purposes of any such delegation, subject to any necessary modifications.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F159

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 128E
128E

F160[Regulations and general policy guidelines

128E. (1) The Minister may, following consultation with such public authorities as he or she considers appropriate, make regulations for the purposes of this Chapter and section 49A either generally or in relation to a Committee or to a particular class or classes of Committees.

(2) The Minister may, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), make regulations in relation to

(a) matters relating to the establishment and membership of a Committee including

(i) the representation of sectoral interests,

(ii) the tenure of office of the chairperson and members of a Committee, and

(iii) the procedures to apply to ensure fairness and equity in the selection of members and the election of a chairperson of a Committee,

(b) the performance of the functions of a Committee, including the functions of a local authority under section 66 delegated to a Committee,

(c) procedures to apply to ensure fairness and equity in the decisions of a Committee,

(d) the involvement of public authorities and other bodies and interests in the work of a Committee,

(e) the carrying out, management and control of the administration and business of a Committee and any administrative, secretarial and other support of a Committee, including the delegation of functions by the chief executive for the purposes of such support, and

(f) meetings and proceedings of the Committee, including arrangements relating to scheduling and notification of meetings and meeting agendas.

(3) The Minister may, following consultation with such public authorities as the Minister considers appropriate, issue general policy guidelines for the purposes of any provision of this Chapter and section 49A and each Committee shall, to the extent that those guidelines apply to it, comply with those guidelines.

(4) The Minister may, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), issue general policy guidelines in relation to

(a) principles guiding the work of Committees,

(b) proposals of local authorities in relation to the establishment of 2 or more Committees within administrative areas,

(c) size of Committees and criteria and procedures for the selection of nominees to Committees,

(d) persons or bodies who may be considered for nomination to Committees and to whom section 128C(2)(g) relates,

(e) the representation of members of the local authority or its officials,

(f) the representation of non-governmental organisations, development agencies, community-based groups, recognised associations for the purposes of section 128, cultural bodies, sporting bodies and social movements and networks,

(g) procedures and processes for establishing and managing working groups of Committees,

(h) matters to be taken into account when dissolving Committees,

(i) consultation with local communities and measures for promoting participation by citizens and communities in the work of Committees,

(j) co-ordination of local and community development activities, avoidance of duplication and optimising the use of available resources,

(k) implementation arrangements, including arrangements for the management and disbursement of funding by a Committee, in respect of the local and community development programmes referred to in section 128B(1)(e),

(l) matters to be taken into account by Committees when giving advice and making recommendations under section 128F, and

(m) any other matter of a general policy nature that the Minister considers appropriate for inclusion in the guidelines.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F160

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E247

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2014) by Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 314 of 2014).

E248

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 234 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 128F
128F

F161[Co-operation with Local Community Development Committees

128F. (1) In this section "relevant body" means

(a) a local authority,

(b) a regional assembly,

(c) a trust or other body to which paragraph (c) of the definition of "local government body" in section 126A relates or in respect of which there is a determination under section 126L(3),

(d) a body referred to in Schedule 16,

(e) a publicly funded body in respect of which there is an order under subsection (7)(a).

(2) In respect of those local and community development programmes to which section 128B(1)(e) relates, it is the duty of a relevant body, in so far as is not inconsistent with the performance of its functions, and subject to law

(a) to co-operate with the Committee in the performance by the Committee of its functions,

(b) to comply with all lawful requests from the Committee in respect of information sought which is of relevance to the Committees functions,

(c) in so far as is practicable, to ensure

(i) in respect of any of the relevant bodys local and community development programmes and related policies and strategies, however described, in particular those programmes and related policies and strategies to which section 128B(1)(g) relate, and

(ii) in so far as those programmes and related policies and strategies impact on the functions of the Committee,

that they are consistent with the objectives of community elements of the Plan, and the Plan generally, and the actions duly taken by the Committee in the furtherance of community elements of the Plan, and

(d) as appropriate, to have due regard to any advice that may be given or to any recommendations that may be made to the relevant public authority by the Committee under subsection (4).

(3) A public authority that is not a relevant body shall, in respect of the local and community development programmes of such an authority, or body, have due regard to community elements of the Plan, and the Plan generally, and any recommendations made to it by a Committee in accordance with subsection (4)(b) and shall use its best endeavours to facilitate any requests of the Committee.

(4) Subject to and in accordance with the functions of the Committee under section 128B (including those of its functions to which section 66 relates), and any regulations made or general policy guidelines issued by the Minister for the purposes of those functions, the Committee may, for the purposes of ensuring consistency with the objectives of community elements of the Plan, and the Plan generally,

(a) advise the local authority that established it as to the way in which the local and community development programmes and related policies and strategies of the local authority should be developed or operated as regards the administrative area of that authority, and

(b) in any other case make recommendations to any public authority or publicly funded body, as to the way in which the local and community development programmes and related policies or strategies of such public authority or publicly funded body should be developed or operate as regards the county or city or city and county concerned.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be read as requiring the disclosure to a Committee of confidential information, the disclosure of which would be in breach of non-disclosure obligations provided for by law, or the disclosure of commercially sensitive information.

(6) Where a Committee has made a request to a relevant body for information under paragraph (b) of section 128F(2), nothing in that paragraph shall be read as requiring the disclosure of information that would be materially disproportionate to what was required to achieve the intended result of the request.

(7)(a) Where the Minister is of the opinion that a public authority or other publicly funded body that is not a relevant body should, having regard to this Chapter, section 49A and some or all of the functions of that public authority or publicly funded body, be a relevant body in respect of those functions then, subject to paragraph (b), the Minister may by order declare that that authority or body is a relevant body for the purposes of this Chapter and section 49A, and shall have effect accordingly.

(b) The Minister shall not make an order under paragraph (a) in respect of a public authority for which another Minister of the Government is directly or indirectly responsible unless that other Minister consents to the order being made.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F161

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 129

County or City Development Boards.

129

129.F162[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F162

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 77, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E249

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2001) by Local Government Act 2001 (County and City Development Boards) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 589 of 2001); section repealed as per F-note above.

E250

Previous affecting provision: subss. (4) and (9) amended (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment; repealed as per F-note above.

PART 13A

Business Improvement Districts

Section 129A

Definitions (Part 13).

129A

129A. In this Part:

"annual BID contribution" has the meaning assigned to it by section 129L;

"annual BID multiplier" means the annual BID multiplier determined for a chargeable period under section 129M(2);

"BID approval date", in relation to a BID scheme, means the date on which the rating authority concerned passes the resolution approving implementation or renewal of the scheme;

"BID company" has the meaning assigned to it by section 129I;

"BID contribution levy" has the meaning assigned to it by section 129N;

"BID fund", in relation to a BID scheme, means the fund established or renewed for that scheme under section 129K;

"BID levypayer", in relation to rateable property subject to a BID contribution levy, means the person liable to pay the levy in respect of the property under section 129N(5);

"BID proponent" means a person specified as a proponent of a BID proposal under section 129C(2)(a);

"BID proposal" has the meaning assigned to it by section 129C;

"BID scheme" means a scheme approved by a rating authority under section 129B(1)(b);

"business improvement district" means a business improvement district established under section 129B;

"chargeable period", in relation to a BID scheme, means each successive 12 month period over which the scheme is to operate, beginning on the scheme commencement date;

"rateable property" means relevant property that is rateable under the Valuation Act 2001;

"ratepayer", in relation to rateable property, means a person required to pay rates on that property;

"ratepayer plebiscite" means a plebiscite described in section 129G;

"scheme commencement date", in relation to a BID scheme, means the date that the scheme comes into force under section 129B(6)(a);

"valuation" means valuation within the meaning of the Valuation Act 2001;

"valuation list" means a valuation list as defined in the Valuation Act 2001.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F163

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129B

F164[Rating authority approval of a business improvement district scheme.

129B

129B. (1) Subject to and in accordance with this Part, the rating authority for an administrative area may by resolution

(a) specify an area within the administrative area and establish that area as a business improvement district, and

(b) approve implementation of a scheme ("BID scheme") to carry out or provide one or more projects, services or works described in subsection (2) and which scheme is financed in whole or in part by BID contribution levies under this Part.

(2) The projects, services and works referred to in subsection (1)(b) shall, in the rating authoritys opinion, be

(a) for the benefit of the business improvement district and those who live, work or carry on an activity in it, and

(b) in addition to and not instead of any project, service or work carried out or provided by the rating authority immediately before approval of the scheme.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2)(a), a BID scheme may include plans or initiatives respecting any of the following projects, services or works:

(a) the provision, improvement or support in the business improvement district of any of the matters described in Schedule 13;

(b) the improvement or beautification of streets or footpaths in the business improvement district or any land, buildings or other structures in it;

(c) the removal of graffiti from streets or footpaths in the business improvement district or any land, buildings or other structures in it;

(d) the carrying out of studies or making of reports respecting the business improvement district;

(e) the promotion of tourism in the business improvement district or otherwise marketing or promoting activities, performances, events or use of amenity or facilities in the business improvement district.

(4) A rating authority may not approve a scheme for implementation under subsection (1)(b) unless

(a) the terms of the scheme provide that, subject to section 129S (respecting early termination), the scheme is to operate for at least one year from the time it is to come into force,

(b) the scheme has been made available to the public in accordance with section 129D and submissions from the public have been invited in accordance with section 129E,

(c) a ratepayer plebiscite has been held in respect of the scheme and a majority of the ratepayers who vote in the plebiscite vote in favour of its implementation, and

(d) having regard to submissions referred to in paragraph (b), the rating authority is of the opinion that the scheme is appropriate and does not conflict in a material way with the interests of the local community.

(5) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under subsection (1) that at least one-third of the total number of members of the authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(6) A BID scheme

(a) comes into force on the date that

(i) is agreed between the rating authority and the BID company responsible for the scheme, and

(ii) is specified in the resolution approving the scheme under subsection (1),

and

(b) subject to section 129S (respecting early termination), operates and has effect for the number of years (not exceeding 5 years) as may be specified in the terms of the scheme.

(7) The 5 year limit in subsection (6)(b) does not prevent a BID scheme being approved under subsection (1) for renewal for one or more further periods, each not exceeding 5 years, provided that the conditions under subsection (4) are met each time the scheme is renewed.

(8) A rating authority may not do any of the following in respect of a business improvement district for which a BID scheme is in effect:

(a) revise the boundaries of the business improvement district;

(b) consolidate the business improvement district with another business improvement district;

(c) divide the business improvement district into two or more business improvement districts.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F164

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129C

F165[BID proposal.

129C

129C. (1) A person proposing a scheme for approval under section 129B may submit the proposal ("BID proposal") to the rating authority concerned.

(2) The BID proposal shall

(a) specify the proponents name and provide an address for delivery of any notices to the proponent in respect of the proposal,

(b) define the boundaries of the area being proposed as a business improvement district (including a map showing that area),

(c) provide a current list of each rateable property in the proposed business improvement district,

(d) set out the terms of the scheme being proposed, including all of the following:

(i) a description of the objectives to be achieved under the scheme and a detailed description of the scheme itself specifying each project, service and work to be carried out or provided;

(ii) the date by which the scheme is expected to be in operation and the number of years over which the scheme is expected to operate;

(iii) the BID company that will be responsible for implementing or renewing and administering and managing the scheme in accordance with this Part;

(iv) those terms of the scheme that may be altered by consent of the rating authority and the BID company referred to in subparagraph (iii),

(e) specify the projects, services or works, if any, that are currently being carried out or provided by the rating authority concerned ("baseline services") and are relevant to the scheme being proposed,

(f) provide estimates of the following for each year over which the scheme being proposed is to operate:

(i) the expenditure that will be necessary to carry out or provide the projects, services and works under the scheme;

(ii) the projected income for the scheme and the sources of that income, including any contribution, grant or assistance from a person or public authority (other than the annual BID contribution);

(iii) the annual BID contribution,

and

(g) include such other information that the Minister may by regulation prescribe for purposes of this section.

(3) On request of a BID proponent, the rating authority shall provide the proponent such information that the proponent may reasonably require in order to determine and specify in the proposal the baseline services relevant to the proposed scheme.

(4) The BID proponent shall

(a) deliver to the rating authority concerned a copy of the BID proposal together with an initial request that the rating authority hold a ratepayer plebiscite on the proposal, and

(b) provide the rating authority with such information as it reasonably requires to be satisfied that the BID proposal is not inconsistent with this Part and that the proponent has sufficient funds to meet the costs referred to in section 129H, should the proponent be required to do so under that section.

(5) On receiving the initial request for a ratepayer plebiscite under subsection (4)(a), the rating authority shall, as soon as practicable but subject to subsection (6), comply with sections 129D and 129E.

(6) The rating authority is not required to comply with subsection (5) until such time as the BID proponent complies with the requirements of subsections (2) and (4).]

Annotations

Amendments:

F165

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129D

F166[BID proposal to be available to public.

129D

129D. (1) A copy of a BID proposal

(a) shall be made available at the principal offices of the rating authority concerned,

(b) may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours, and

(c) may be purchased from the rating authority at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.

(2) In addition to but not instead of complying with subsection (1), the rating authority concerned may publish a copy of the BID proposal on the internet.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F166

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129E

F167[Public input to BID proposal.

129E

129E. (1) The rating authority concerned shall by way of a public notice invite submissions from the public on a BID proposal.

(2) Notice under subsection (1) shall

(a) describe the proposed scheme in general terms,

(b) specify the area within the administrative area that is being proposed as a business improvement district,

(c) include a statement that, if the scheme is established, an annual BID contribution levy will be imposed on and collected from ratepayers of rateable property within the proposed business improvement district,

(d) specify

(i) an address or location at which a copy of the BID proposal may be inspected pursuant to section 129D(1),

(ii) the price for which a copy of the proposal may be purchased from the rating authority under section 129D(1), and

(iii) if a copy of the proposal is also published on the internet pursuant to section 129D(2), the website address for viewing that copy,

and

(e) indicate that any person may, in the manner and by a date specified in the notice ("closing date"), make a submission in relation to the BID proposal.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the notice may include

(a) a map that clearly indicates the boundaries of the proposed business improvement district, or

(b) a list of the street addresses of the rateable properties within the proposed business improvement district.

(4) The closing date under subsection (2)(e) may not be less than 30 days after the date on which notice under this section is first published.

(5) The rating authority shall ensure that the BID proponent receives a copy of each submission made on the BID proposal.

(6) The rating authority shall prepare a report on the submissions (if any) made on the BID proposal; copies of that report shall be

(a) furnished by it to the members of the authority, and

(b) made available by it to the public, on request and on payment to it of a fee (which fee shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such a copy),

and, in addition to the foregoing, it may publish a copy of the report on the internet.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F167

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129F

F168[Next steps after public input.

129F

129F. (1) If, based on submissions made under section 129E, the rating authority concerned is of the view that the BID proposal may be inconsistent with the interests of the local community, the rating authority shall, as soon as practicable after the closing date under section 129E(2)(e) and no later than 60 days after that closing date, notify the BID proponent in writing explaining the nature of the inconsistency.

(2) Following consideration by the BID proponent of submissions made under section 129E and any notice under subsection (1) of this section, the proponent may, but not sooner than 60 days after the closing date referred to in subsection (1), deliver to the rating authority concerned

(a) written confirmation of the initial request to have the BID proposal proceed to a ratepayer plebiscite, or

(b) written notice to withdraw the BID proposal.

(3) If the rating authority concerned does not receive written confirmation or notice under subsection (2) within 90 days after the closing date under section 129E(2)(e), the BID proponent is deemed to have withdrawn the BID proposal.

(4) A BID proponent who delivers notice to withdraw the BID proposal, or is deemed to have withdrawn the proposal, is liable to pay all costs incurred by the rating authority in relation to that proposal.

(5) The costs for which the BID proponent is liable under subsection (4) are recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction and, if there is more than one such proponent, those proponents are jointly and severally liable for those costs.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F168

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129G

F169[BID proposal goes to ratepayer plebiscite.

129G

129G. (1) Within 60 days of receiving written confirmation delivered in compliance with section 129F(2)(a), the rating authority concerned shall, in accordance with this section and the regulations made under subsection (6), hold a plebiscite to determine the level of support for the proposal among ratepayers of rateable property in the proposed business improvement district.

(2) Each rateable property in the proposed business improvement district shall be afforded one vote in the plebiscite.

(3) The vote under subsection (2) may only be exercised

(a) by the ratepayer of the rateable property at the time of the plebiscite, and

(b) by completing and returning a ballot paper in the form and manner prescribed under subsection (6).

(4) In the case of a rateable property where 2 or more persons own or occupy the property and are liable for rates on that property

(a) they shall be considered as one ratepayer for the purposes of subsection (3)(a),

(b) they are not entitled to vote in the plebiscite unless a majority of them concurs, and

(c) unless the vote is signed by a majority of them, it shall be disregarded for purposes of the plebiscite.

(5) No later than 45 days after receiving written confirmation under section 129F(2)(a), the rating authority concerned shall send, by ordinary post or any other means that may be prescribed by regulation, all ballot papers for completion under subsection (3) to the ratepayers concerned.

(6) The Minister may make regulations

(a) relating to and governing the conduct of a ratepayer plebiscite,

(b) prescribing the form of a ballot paper under this section and the manner in which it is to be completed and returned, and

(c) prescribing means other than post for the delivery and return of ballot papers under this section.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F169

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Editorial Notes:

E251

Power pursuant to section exercised (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts Ratepayer Plebiscite) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 166 of 2007).

Section 129H

F170[Costs of ratepayer plebiscite.

129H

129H. (1) If less than 20 percent of the ratepayers who vote in a ratepayer plebiscite vote in favour of having the rating authority concerned approve implementation of the BID proposal as a BID scheme, the BID proponent is liable to pay all costs incurred by the rating authority in relation to that proposal.

(2) The costs for which a BID proponent is liable under subsection (1) are recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction and, if there is more than one such proponent, those proponents are jointly and severally liable for those costs.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F170

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129I

F171[BID company requirements.

129I

129I. (1) A BID company shall be a company limited by guarantee and formed and registered under the Companies Acts.

(2) The principal objects of the BID company shall be stated in its memorandum of association to be as follows:

(a) to implement or renew and administer and manage a BID scheme or, as the case may be, a scheme being proposed for purposes of this Part;

(b) to ensure that each project, service and work under the scheme is carried out in accordance with that scheme and this Part;

(c) to carry out the functions of a BID company in accordance with this Part.

(3) Subsection (2) does not prevent or restrict the inclusion of objects and powers that are

(a) reasonably necessary, proper for or incidental or ancillary to attaining the principal objects referred to in subsection (2), and

(b) not inconsistent with this Part or any other enactment.

(4) A BID company shall have a board of directors consisting of not less than 6 members and at least two-thirds of those directors shall be

(a) ratepayers of rateable property in the business improvement district or, as the case may be, in the area being proposed as a business improvement district, or

(b) representatives of such ratepayers.

(5) On approval of a BID scheme by a rating authority under section 129B, the rating authority is entitled to have the following representation on the board of directors for the BID company that will be implementing or renewing the scheme:

(a) if the board consists of less than 13 members, one of those members shall be selected by the elected council and one shall be selected by the F172[chief executive];

(b) if the board of directors consists of 13 or more members, 2 of those members shall be selected by the elected council and 2 shall be selected by the F172[chief executive].

(6) A vacancy in the membership of the board of directors under subsection (4) or (5) does not invalidate any act or proceeding of the board or impair the right of the board to act, if the number of members is not less than a quorum.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F171

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

F172

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 78, 79, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 129J

F173[BID company to meet and adopt first budget following approval of BID scheme.

129J

129J. (1) Within 60 days after the BID approval date, the board of directors of the BID company responsible for a BID scheme shall

(a) hold a meeting of those directors, and

(b) at that meeting, prepare and adopt a budget for the first chargeable period under the scheme, setting out the matters described in section 129L(1)(a) to (c).

(2) The provisions of section 129L(1)(a) to (c) and (2) apply in respect of the budget to be prepared and adopted for the first chargeable period under subsection (1) of this section and, for this purpose, the references in section 129L(1) and (2) to "next chargeable period" shall be read as "first chargeable period".

(3) The BID company shall within 7 days after the meeting under subsection (1) submit a copy of the adopted budget to the rating authority concerned.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F173

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129K

F174[Separate BID fund to be established following approval of BID scheme.

129K

129K. (1) Within 60 days after the BID approval date, the rating authority that approves implementation of a BID scheme shall establish a fund ("BID fund") for that scheme.

(2) In the case of a BID scheme that is approved for renewal under section 129B, the BID fund previously established for that scheme is continued on that approval.

(3) The BID fund shall be separate from the local fund of the rating authority and the accounts of the BID fund shall be accounted for separately.

(4) All BID contribution levies collected by the rating authority in respect of the BID scheme shall be paid into the BID fund.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the BID contribution levies that are collected during a chargeable period shall be paid out of the BID fund to the BID company responsible for the BID scheme as required under the terms of the scheme.

(6) The rating authority may recover from the BID fund all reasonable costs it incurs in performing functions related to the BID scheme.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F174

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129L

F175[Annual budget for BID scheme.

129L

129L. (1) In each chargeable period under a BID scheme, the BID company responsible for the scheme shall prepare and adopt a budget setting out each of the following for the next chargeable period:

(a) the expenditure estimated to be necessary during that next chargeable period for

(i) carrying out the projects, services and works under the scheme,

(ii) administering and managing the scheme, and

(iii) carrying out functions in respect of the scheme in accordance with this Part;

(b) any income, other than the annual BID contribution under paragraph (c), estimated to accrue to the BID company;

(c) the total sum of money ("annual BID contribution") that the BID company requests the rating authority contribute towards financing the scheme for the next chargeable period by means of imposing and collecting BID contribution levies under this Part.

(2) The annual BID contribution under subsection (1)(c) is to be determined by the formula

A B

where

A is the expenditure referred to in subsection (1)(a), and

B is the income referred to in subsection (1)(b).

(3) The BID company shall submit a copy of the budget for the next chargeable period to the rating authority concerned at least 14 days before that next chargeable period begins.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F175

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129M

F176[Annual BID multiplier.

129M

129M. (1) On receiving a copy of the budget adopted by a BID company under section 129J(3) or 129L(3), the rating authority concerned shall determine the annual BID multiplier to be levied against the valuation of each rateable property in the business improvement district to which the budget relates.

(2) The annual BID multiplier is to be determined by the formula

A + B

C

where

A is the annual BID contribution determined by the BID company pursuant to section 129L(2),

B is the total of

(a) all estimated costs that the rating authority expects to incur over the next chargeable period in performing functions related to the BID scheme, and

(b) if the budget is for the first chargeable period of the scheme under section 129J, all costs incurred by the rating authority in relation to the BID proposal on which the scheme is based, and

C is the aggregate valuation of all rateable property situate in the relevant business improvement district according to the latest valuation list in force at the time of determining the annual BID multiplier under this section.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F176

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129N

F177[Annual BID contribution levy.

129N

129N. (1) On determining the annual BID multiplier for a chargeable period under section 129M, the rating authority shall impose and collect for that chargeable period a BID contribution levy on each rateable property in the business improvement district in respect of which the BID scheme applies.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the amount of the BID contribution levy in respect of a rateable property described in subsection (1) is to be determined by the formula

A x B

where

A is the annual BID multiplier for the relevant chargeable period, and

B is the valuation of the rateable property, according to the latest valuation list in force on the date that that BID multiplier is determined.

(3) If a rateable property described in subsection (1) is unoccupied on the date that the annual BID multiplier is determined, the amount of the BID contribution levy is to be determined by applying the formula set out in subsection (2) and dividing that result by 2.

(4) Notice of the BID contribution levy imposed on a rateable property under this section shall be sent by post or otherwise delivered to the person liable to pay the levy for that property under subsection (5) (the "BID levypayer") and the notice shall include the following information:

(a) the amount of the BID contribution levy;

(b) the date by which the BID contribution levy is due and payable and the manner in which it is to be paid.

(5) The following are liable to pay the BID contribution levy for a rateable property under this section:

(a) the person who is in occupation of the property on the date that the annual BID multiplier is determined;

(b) if the property is unoccupied on the date referred to in paragraph (a), the person who owns the property on that date.

(6) The date specified under subsection (4)(b) may not be less than 14 days from the date that the notice is sent under that subsection.

(7) The BID levypayer shall pay the full amount of the BID contribution levy to the rating authority by the date specified under subsection (4)(b).

(8) The BID contribution levy for which a BID levypayer is liable under this section is recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction and, if there is more than one such levypayer in respect of a rateable property subject to the levy, those levypayers are jointly and severally liable for that levy.

(9) A BID contribution levy is not invalidated by any error or defect in the statement of the name of the BID levypayer in the notice under subsection (4) or by the use of the description "the owner" or "the occupier" without any name or addition, and the levy is recoverable from the BID levypayer notwithstanding any such error or defect or the use of any such description.

(10) For the purposes of this section, rateable property is "unoccupied" if the person who owns the property on the date that the annual BID multiplier is determined (the "owner") satisfies the rating authority that

(a) the owner was not occupying the property on that date,

(b) no other person was entitled to the use or enjoyment of the property on that date, and

(c) acting in good faith, the owner was genuinely unable to find a suitable tenant for the property at a reasonable rent.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F177

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129O

F178[Recalculation of levy in event of total destruction or demolition of property.

129O

129O. (1) If, during a chargeable period, a rateable property subject to a BID contribution levy is demolished or destroyed to the extent that it is incapable of rateable occupation by the owner of the property, the BID levypayer may apply in writing to the rating authority concerned for a refund or credit on the amount of the levy paid or payable for the chargeable period.

(2) On receiving the application and being satisfied that the condition described in subsection (1) has been met, the rating authority shall prorate the amount of the BID contribution levy that was paid or is payable for that portion of the chargeable period during which the property is incapable of rateable occupation and that prorated amount shall be

(a) refunded to the applicant BID levypayer, in the case where the levy has already been paid in full,

(b) refunded to the applicant BID levypayer to the extent that any partial payment of the levy that has been made would result in an overpayment because of the application of this subsection, or

(c) if paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply, credited to the account of the applicant BID levypayer.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F178

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129P

F179[Recalculation of levy if valuation amended during chargeable period.

129P

129P. (1) This section applies if

(a) a BID levypayer has paid the BID contribution levy payable in respect of a rateable property for a chargeable period,

(b) the valuation of the property changes during that chargeable period because of amendment to the valuation list described in section 28 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(c) the BID levypayer has not received a refund or credit under section 129O in respect of the rateable property for that chargeable period.

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after amendment of the valuation of the rateable property described in subsection (1), the BID contribution levy for that rateable property shall be recalculated by the rating authority under section 129N(2) or (3), as the case may be, using the same BID multiplier but the amended valuation for the property, and the recalculated amount shall be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the relevant chargeable period, beginning with the date that the valuation is amended.

(3) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the BID contribution levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an overpayment and there are no arrears of BID contribution levies outstanding on the property concerned or if there are such arrears they are less than the amount of the overpayment, then the rating authority shall pay to the BID levypayer concerned a refund in the amount of the overpayment less the amount of any such arrears owing.

(4) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the BID contribution levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an underpayment, then

(a) the BID levypayer is liable for the balance owing,

(b) the balance owing may be recovered from the BID levypayer by the same means provided under section 129N, and

(c) the provisions of section 129N(4) to (9) apply for the purposes of that recovery.

(5) If

(a) the amended valuation for the rateable property referred to in subsection (2) is consequently the subject of an appeal under Part 7 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(b) after all appeals under that Part have been exhausted, the final valuation of the property for the relevant chargeable period is different than it was for purposes of the recalculation under subsection (2),

the rating authority shall recalculate the BID contribution levy for that property under section 129N(2) or (3), as the case may be, using the same formula applied in those provisions except where "B" is now the final valuation of the property referred to in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(6) If, as a result of recalculation under subsection (5), the amount of money paid by the BID levypayer for the relevant chargeable period involved an overpayment or an underpayment, then

(a) in the case of an overpayment, subsection (3) applies, and

(b) in the case of an underpayment, subsection (4) applies.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F179

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129Q

F180[Care and management of BID contribution levies.

129Q

129Q. All BID contribution levies imposed and to be collected pursuant to this Part are placed under the care and management of the rating authority concerned.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F180

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129R

F181[Keeping of accounts and financial statements.

129R

129R. (1) A BID company responsible for a BID scheme shall keep all proper and usual accounts of moneys received or spent by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the BID company shall establish, operate and maintain financial systems, accounts, reporting and record keeping procedures, including the preparation of annual financial statements, which are based on generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

(3) The BID company shall

(a) submit to the rating authority a copy of its annual audited accounts no later than 12 weeks after the close of the financial year of the BID company to which those accounts relate, and

(b) on request of any person, provide a copy of those accounts at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.

(4) The rating authority may also require the preparation and submission to it of statements of the financial position of the BID company.

(5) Statements of financial position submitted shall contain such detail and be prepared and submitted at such intervals as may be specified by the rating authority.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F181

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129S

F182[Early termination of BID schemes.

129S

129S. (1) The rating authority that approves implementation or renewal of a BID scheme may by resolution terminate the scheme if any of the following apply:

(a) in the opinion of the rating authority, the BID company responsible for the scheme

(i) will have insufficient finances to meet its liabilities for the current chargeable period and the rating authority has offered the BID company a reasonable opportunity to arrange for

(A) financing the shortfall, or

(B) a reduction in the projects, services or works under the scheme which is sufficient to offset the shortfall,

(ii) is not carrying out or providing the projects, services or works in accordance with the scheme, or

(iii) is not in compliance with any provision in this Part;

(b) the rating authority is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to perform its functions in relation to the BID scheme.

(2) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under subsection (1) that at least one-third of the total number of members of the authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(3) At least 28 days before the date of the termination, the rating authority shall give written notice to the BID company of its intention to terminate the BID scheme under subsection (1).

(4) The BID company responsible for a BID scheme may terminate the scheme if any of the following apply:

(a) the BID company will have insufficient finances to meet its liabilities for the current chargeable period and it has made a reasonable effort to arrange for

(i) financing the shortfall, or

(ii) a reduction in the projects, services or works under the scheme which is sufficient to offset the shortfall;

(b) the BID company is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to carry out or provide the projects, services or works under the scheme;

(c) the projects, services or works to be carried out or provided under the scheme are no longer required.

(5) At least 28 days before the date of the termination, the BID company shall give written notice to the rating authority concerned of its intention to terminate the BID scheme under subsection (4). ]

Annotations

Amendments:

F182

New Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

Section 129T

F183[Final accounting of BID fund on termination of BID scheme.

129T

129T. (1) As soon as is reasonably practicable after termination of a BID scheme under section 129S or after a scheme is no longer in force and is not renewed, the rating authority concerned shall give written notice of the termination to

(a) if the termination occurs during a chargeable period under the scheme, those persons liable to pay a BID contribution levy for that chargeable period, and

(b) if the scheme is no longer in force and is not renewed under section 129B, those persons most recently liable to pay the BID contribution levy when the scheme was in force.

(2) The written notice referred to in subsection (1) shall explain if a refund is to be made under subsection (4).

(3) Subsection (4) applies if, after deducting

(a) all costs incurred by the rating authority in performing functions related to the BID scheme, and

(b) all costs that the rating authority expects to incur in the performance of its functions under this part,

there is a credit to the relevant BID fund that would, when divided between the BID levypayers who paid the most recent BID contribution levy owing before the schemes termination (and divided on a basis proportionate to their contribution to the annual BID contribution for the most recent chargeable period), enable a refund of at least 50 to each of those levypayers.

(4) The rating authority shall

(a) after making the deductions described in subsection (3)(a) and (b), calculate the amount of the credit to the relevant BID fund that is to be refunded to each BID levypayer described in that subsection, and

(b) make arrangements for those refunds to be made.

(5) If subsection (3) does not apply, the rating authority shall transfer the credit balance in the relevant BID fund to the credit of the local fund of the rating authority.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F183

Part 13A (ss. 129A-129T) inserted (24.04.2007) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 6, S.I. No. 165 of 2007.

PART 14

The Local Government Service

Chapter 1

The Elected Council

Section 130

Policy role of elected council.

130

130.—It is a function of the elected council of a local authority to determine by resolution the policy of the local authority subject to and in accordance with this Act and the other enactments relating to that authority.

Section 131

Reserved functions.

131

131.—(1)(a) F184[Subject to section 131A, the elected council of a local authority or the members of a joint body shall] directly exercise and perform by resolution at a meeting of the local authority or body every function to which this section applies.

(b) The functions referred to in paragraph (a) shall be known as reserved functions of a local authority or of a joint body, as the case may be, and in this Act are referred to as “reserved functions”.

(2) This section applies to every function—

F184[(a) designated as a reserved function by any provision of the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2014 (including a designation by order under subsection (3)), a provision of any other Act that is to be construed together with those Acts, or as specified in Schedule 14 or, subject to section 131B(1), Schedule 14A,]

(b) designated as a reserved function by any provision of any other enactment relating to a local authority or joint body;

(c) expressly made exercisable by resolution under this Act or under any other enactment relating to a local authority or joint body which was enacted after the 13th day of June, 1940.

(3)(a) The Minister may by order designate a specified function of local authorities or joint bodies to be a reserved function and for so long as an order is in force the function is a reserved function.

(b) Any order made under subsection (2) of section 41 of the Local Government Act, 1991, or continued in force by subsection (5) of that section shall continue in force as if made under this subsection and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

F185[(c) An order under paragraph (a) may provide that a specified function designated by such order to be a reserved function may be performed, or shall be performed, as provided in the order, in respect of each municipal district in the county or the city and county, as the case may be, by the municipal district members concerned, subject to the provisions of subsections (4) to (6) of section 131A.]

(4) Any reference to a reserved function in respect of a local authority or joint body in any enactment enacted before the commencement of this provision or to a function exercisable by resolution to which subsection (2)(c) applies shall be read as a reference to a reserved function for the purposes of this Act.

(5) For the purposes of this section “function” does not include a function relating to the employees of a local authority or joint body or the direction, supervision, service, remuneration or discipline of such employees or any of them, other than a function referred to in section 145(1).

Annotations

Amendments:

F184

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(2)(a), (b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F185

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(2)(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 131A
131A

F186[Performance of reserved functions in respect of municipal district members

131A.(1) Subject to subsection (4), in respect of the elected council of a local authority that is the council of a county (other than the council of a county to which section 22A(4) relates) or of a city and county, a reserved function which is specified in

(a) paragraphs 1 and 3 (other than in respect of a joint body) of Schedule 14 and Part 1 of Schedule 14A shall be performed in respect of each municipal district within the administrative area of the local authority by the municipal district members concerned, and

(b) paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of Schedule 14 and Part 2 of Schedule 14A, may be performed in respect of a municipal district within the administrative area of the local authority by

(i) the municipal district members, or

(ii) the local authority.

(2)(a) In addition to the functions referred to in subsection (1), a local authority that is the council of a county or a city and county may, subject to paragraph (e), by resolution delegate with or without restrictions to the municipal district members for any municipal district in the area of the local authority any of its functions that may be performed by resolution and a function so delegated shall, accordingly, be performed in respect of each such municipal district in the administrative area of the local authority (or any part of such district) by the municipal district members concerned.

(b) A local authority may, following consultation with the municipal district members concerned, by resolution, revoke the delegation by it under this subsection of a function, but the revocation is without prejudice to anything previously done by virtue of the delegated function.

(c) A function shall not be delegated by a local authority in such a manner that, at the same time, it is exercisable

(i) by a committee established under section 51, and

(ii) by municipal district members under this subsection.

(d) A resolution of a local authority delegating or revoking the delegation of a function to municipal district members shall not be treated as having been passed unless at least a half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(e) A local authority shall not delegate any of its functions to which subparagraphs (i) to (iv) of section 51(2)(a) relates to the municipal district members.

(3) The functions, by virtue of subsection (2)(a), of municipal district members shall not be delegated by the municipal district members.

(4) Municipal district members may by resolution decide, subject to the approval by resolution of the local authority and the approval of the Minister, that a particular function to which subsection (1) relates should be performed only by the local authority.

(5)(a) The Minister may make regulations specifying conditions, restrictions, procedures or other provisions to apply

(i) generally in relation to the performance of functions to which subsections (1) and (2) relate,

(ii) specifically in relation to performance of one or more than one function to which any of those sections relate,

(iii) in relation to the delegation of functions or the revocation of a delegation of functions under subsection (2), or

(iv) in relation to a decision under subsection (4).

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), regulations under this subsection may provide for any of the following:

(i) requirements for the purpose of ensuring that municipal district members performing functions do so in a manner consistent with the policies, strategies, programmes or plans of the local authority concerned;

(ii) requirements for the purpose of ensuring the avoidance of unnecessary duplication in the performance of functions between the municipal district members for each of the municipal districts in a local authority area or between the municipal district members and the local authority for that area;

(iii) that specified functions may not be delegated under subsection (2), or may only be delegated with the approval of the Minister;

(iv) that, in circumstances provided for in the regulations, a local authority may perform a specified delegated function in place of the municipal district members in a particular case or occasion;

(v) arrangements for the resolution of any difference or disagreement between a local authority and the municipal district members in relation to the performance of a function which is specified in paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of Schedule 14 or Part 2 of Schedule 14A;

(vi) that a particular function set out in paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of Schedule 14 or Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 14A shall only be performable in every instance by the local authority concerned;

(vii) provisions to determine whether a function specified in paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of Schedule 14 and Part 2 of Schedule 14A should, in particular circumstances be performed by municipal district members or by the local authority.

(6) The Minister may issue general policy guidelines to local authorities for the purposes of any provision of this section (including any regulations made under it) and each local authority shall comply with any such guidelines.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F186

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(3), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E252

Power pursuant to subs. (5) exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in Respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 231 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 131B
131B

F187[Supplemental provisions to section 131 and 131A

131B. (1) For the purposes of sections 131 and 131A, and for convenience of reference only, there is set out in column (3) of Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 14A the provisions of enactments under which reserved functions are conferred.

(2) The validity of any function conferred on a local authority by law is not affected by the fact that it is not specified in Schedule 14 or 14A.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F187

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(3), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 132

Reserved functions: duty of manager.

132

F188[132.(1) It is the duty of every chief executive to carry into effect all lawful directions of the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body.

(2)(a) Where in relation to the exercise or performance of a reserved function a legal opinion was obtained by a local authority or joint body, the elected council or joint body may, without prejudice to section 153, by resolution direct that a second such opinion be obtained by the authority in the terms specified in such resolution.

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall prejudice a local authority or joint body in carrying out any function which the authority or body is required by or under statute or by order of a court to duly carry out.

(3) It is the duty of every chief executive to advise and assist the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive and to assist the corporate policy group, each strategic policy committee and local community development committee within the administrative area of which he or she is chief executive

(a) generally as regards the exercise or performance by

(i) the council of the local authority or joint body, of its reserved functions, and

(ii) by the strategic policy committee or local community development committee, of its functions in relation to the reserved function of the local authority or joint body,

and

(b) as regards any particular matter or thing in relation to such exercise or performance on or in respect of which the council of a local authority, joint body, corporate policy group, strategic policy committee or local community development committee requests the advice or assistance of the chief executive,

and each shall have regard to that advice or assistance.

(4) In subsections (1) to (3) a reference to the elected council of a local authority includes a reference to the municipal district members when duly exercising a reserved function.

(5) For the purposes of superintendence and oversight by the elected council in the discharge of functions conferred on the elected council by law, the chief executive shall, when requested by the elected council, report on the actions already taken and planned to be taken to carry out the directions of the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body.

(6) Following consideration of a report referred to in subsection (5) or a management report as provided for in section 136(2), the elected council may, by resolution, adopt a statement indicating that it is the opinion of the elected council that the actions already taken or planned to be taken by the chief executive to carry out the directions of the elected council in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body are not sufficient for such purpose, or are not sufficient to ensure the efficient discharge of such function, and such resolution shall state the reasons for such opinion.

(7) Within 14 days of the adoption of a statement pursuant to subsection (6), the chief executive shall provide to the elected council a response indicating the changes, if any, to the actions or intended actions he or she will put in place, and where the chief executive considers it so warranted, may indicate where in his or her opinion the policy of the council requires review and amendment.

(8) The chief executive shall, when requested by the elected council, whether consequent on the councils consideration of the chief executives response for the purposes of subsection (7) or otherwise, advise on the review of any policy, or a review of the implementation of any policy, of the local authority (being a policy approved as a reserved function) by the local authority or joint body.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F188

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 47, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 133

Corporate policy group.

133

133.F189[(1) The elected council of each local authority shall form a committee, to be known as the corporate policy group and in this section referred to as the "policy group", consisting of

(a) the Cathaoirleach of the local authority who shall chair the policy group,

(b) the chairpersons of the strategic policy committees of the local authority, and

(c) where for any period of time, a policy group does not contain a member from a municipal district to whom paragraph (a) or (b) relates, a municipal district member for each municipal district concerned

(i) selected by the municipal district members for such district, or

(ii) failing such selection, the Cathaoirleach of the municipal district concerned or such other member as the Cathaoirleach may select.]

(2)(a) The policy group may advise and assist the elected council in the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy for the local authority and for that purpose propose arrangements for the consideration of policy matters and the organisation of related business by the elected council.

(b) The policy group may make proposals for the allocation of business as between strategic policy committees and for the general co-ordination of such business.

F190[(ba) Without prejudice to paragraph (a) and with respect to the policies of and functions performed by the local authority, the policy group may promote co-ordination, consistency, effectiveness and avoidance of duplication in the performance of functions of the local authority by municipal district members.]

(c) Nothing in this subsection prevents the submission of a report by a strategic policy committee directly to the elected council.

(3) The F191[chief executive] shall prepare the corporate plan for the local authority in consultation with the policy group in accordance with section 134.

(4)(a) The F191[chief executive] shall consult the policy group in the preparation of the local authority’s draft budget and the policy group may for that purpose avail of the assistance of not more than 3 additional persons, who are not members of the authority.

(b) The additional persons referred to in paragraph (a) shall be persons who in the opinion of the policy group have financial, organisational or other knowledge or experience likely to be of special relevance to the policy group’s consideration of the authority’s draft budget.

(5)(a) The policy group may request the F191[chief executive] to provide a report to the policy group on any matter or thing related to a function of the local authority and specified by the policy group and, subject to paragraph (b), the F191[chief executive] shall provide such report.

(b) A F191[chief executive] shall provide such a report in so far as compliance with such request would not—

(i) duplicate a similar request by the elected council or a direction under section 138(2), or

(ii) be contrary to law.

(6)(a) Where the policy group requests a report under subsection (5), the Cathaoirleach may at the time of such request by direction in writing signed and dated by him or her and given to the F191[chief executive] require the F191[chief executive] to refrain from doing any particular act, matter or thing related to the subject matter of the report and specifically mentioned in the direction and which the local authority or F191[chief executive] concerned can lawfully refrain from doing.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), a direction under paragraph (a) shall continue to have effect, unless withdrawn, until the next meeting of the local authority and may be extended by resolution at that meeting and where not so extended ceases to have effect.

(c) A direction under paragraph (a) (whether extended under paragraph (b) or not) shall not in any case have effect for longer than 3 months and shall cease to have effect on the expiration of 3 months after the date on which it is given, unless it is earlier withdrawn or has ceased to have effect under paragraph (b).

(d) Where a direction ceases to have effect a similar direction or a direction of substantially like effect in relation to the act, matter or thing in question may not be given.

(e) The F191[chief executive] shall comply with a direction duly and lawfully given under this subsection.

(7) Nothing in this section shall prejudice a local authority in carrying out at any time any function which a local authority or F191[chief executive] is required by or under statute or by order of a court to carry out and any direction claiming to be given under subsection (6) which contravenes this subsection is invalid.

(8) Nothing in this section prejudices or derogates from the functions conferred on an elected council by this or any other enactment.

(9) Nothing in this section prevents the F191[chief executive] from dealing immediately with any situation which he or she considers is an emergency situation calling for immediate action and section 138(5) applies for the purposes of this subsection.

F192[(10)(a) The Minister may issue policy guidelines to local authorities for the purposes of any provision of this section and such guidelines may include

(i) procedures to be followed in respect of the manner and nature of the involvement of municipal district members with the policy group;

(ii) the format, content and layout of any particular class or classes of policy papers and other documents (including the preparation of preliminary documents) prepared by or presented to the policy group;

(iii) procedures to ensure that sufficient time for input by the policy group into policy papers is provided prior to completion and subsequent presentation to the local authority concerned.

(b) Guidelines issued under this section may relate generally to all local authorities or to a particular class or classes of local authorities and shall, in so far as the guidelines relate to them, be complied with by every local authority, chief executive, policy group and the municipal district members.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F189

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 48(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F190

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 48(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F191

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 80-87, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F192

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 48(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 134

Corporate plan.

134

134.—(1) In this section, except where the context otherwise requires—

F193[]

“specified period” means a period not longer than 6 months from—

(a) in a local election year, the date of the annual meeting,

(b) in the case of a review, the date of a resolution or the date of a request under subsection (8).

(2) Within the specified period and in accordance with this section, every local authority shall prepare a statement of strategy for the local authority (in this section referred to as a “corporate plan”).

(3) The F194[chief executive] shall—

(a) prepare the corporate plan in consultation with the policy group,

(b) fix a schedule of meetings for that purpose, and

(c) provide such assistance (including assistance by way of consultancy or otherwise) as may be practicable to assist in the preparation of the corporate plan and in its consideration by the policy group.

(4)(a) It is the responsibility and the duty of the policy group and of the F194[chief executive] to take all such steps as are necessary to ensure that the corporate plan is submitted to the elected council for approval within the specified period.

(b) Where the corporate plan is not submitted in accordance with paragraph (a)

(i) the Cathaoirleach shall convene a special meeting within 14 days of the expiration of such period, and

(ii) the Cathaoirleach and the F194[chief executive] shall make a joint submission to the elected council at the special meeting outlining the steps to be taken to ensure its completion and when it is proposed to submit the corporate plan to the elected council.

(5)(a) The elected council shall consider the corporate plan submitted in accordance with subsection (4) and may make such amendments as it considers appropriate and shall approve it with or without amendments.

(b) Where the corporate plan is not approved in accordance with paragraph (a) within the period of 2 months from the date of its submission to the elected council, it shall be deemed to be approved on the expiration of that period, subject to any amendments—

(i) made to it under paragraph (a) within that period, or

(ii) which are otherwise necessary or consequential and which the F194[chief executive] may make within 2 weeks after the expiration of that period.

(6) The corporate plan shall be prepared on the basis of an organisational wide strategic approach encompassing the various activities of the local authority concernedF195[, including activities relating to functions of municipal district members for each municipal district,] and shall include—

(a) a statement of the principal activities of the local authority,

(b) the objectives and priorities for each of the principal activities and strategies for achieving those objectives,

(c) the manner in which the authority proposes to assess its performance in respect of each such activity, taking account of relevant service indicators and of the need to work towards best practice in service delivery and in the general operation of the local authority,

(d) human resources activities (including training and development) to be undertaken for the staff of the local authority and, where appropriate for the elected council,

(e) the organisational structure of the local authority, both elected council and staff, including corporate support and information technology and the improvements proposed to promote efficiency of operation and customer service and in general to support the corporate plan,

F195[(ea) the policy of the local authority in relation to its functions, services and priorities for expenditure, in so far as is not otherwise set out in any other plan, statement, strategy or other document referred to in subsection (7),]

(f) such other matters as may be set out in guidelines issued under subsection (10) for the purposes of this section.

(7) In preparing its corporate plan a local authority shall take account of such policies and objectives in relation to any of its functional programmes as are set out in any other plan, statement, strategy or other document prepared by it under any other provision of this or of any other enactment and shall comply with sections 69, 71 and 129.

(8)(a) A local authority may at any time decide by resolution to review its corporate plan and subsections (3) to (7) shall apply in relation to any such review.

(b) If requested by the Minister, a local authority shall carry out a review and following such review may make any amendments or a new corporate plan and subsections (3) to (7) shall apply in relation to any such review.

(9) The approval of the corporate plan, with or without amendments, is a reserved function.

(10)(a) From time to time the Minister may issue guidelines in connection with the preparation of corporate plans by local authorities for the purposes of this section and local authorities shall have regard to such guidelines.

(b) F196[]

(c) Any guidelines issued by the Minister in relation to the preparation of corporate plans by local authorities which are current on the date of the commencement of this provision shall be deemed to have issued in accordance with this section.

(d) Any corporate plan which is in the process of being adopted by a local authority immediately before the issue of guidelines referred to in paragraph (c) shall be deemed to have been adopted with due regard to those guidelines.

(11)(a) The F194[chief executive] shall prepare an annual progress report in respect of the local authority’s corporate plan and such report shall be submitted to the elected council—

(i) at the same time as the authority’s draft budget, or

(ii) at such other time as the elected council may by resolution decide.

(b) Details of the annual progress report shall be recorded in the local authority’s annual report.

Annotations

Amendments:

F193

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 49(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F194

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 88-92, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F195

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 49(b), (c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F196

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 49(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 134A
134A

F197[Local authority service delivery plans

134A.(1) In respect of the local financial year which follows the commencement of this section and in respect of every financial year thereafter, each local authority shall prepare in accordance with subsection (5) a plan (in this section and Part 3 of Schedule 14A referred to as a "service delivery plan") identifying the services intended to be provided by it to the public.

(2) The service delivery plan of a local authority shall be consistent with the provisions in the local authority budget of the expenditure estimated to be necessary for the local authority to carry out its functions during the local financial year to which that plan relates.

(3) The service delivery plan of a local authority shall take account of best practice in service delivery (including, where appropriate in relation to the delivery of services, best practice having regard to performance of functions identified pursuant to section 126C(1)(c)) and that plan shall include

(a) a statement of the principal services that will either continue to be provided or will otherwise be provided by the local authority in respect of the local financial year to which the plan relates,

(b) the objectives and priorities for the delivery of each of the services to which paragraph (a) relates, and the strategies for achieving those objectives and priorities,

(c) the performance standards intended to be met in the delivery of services, including reference to each appropriate performance standard prescribed by the Minister,

(d) the manner in which the local authority proposes to assess its performance in respect of the delivery of services, including identification of the relevant indicators for the purposes of section 126C(1)(a) and the performance indicators and performance standards prescribed by the Minister under subsection (7) as are appropriate to each service in the service delivery plan, and

(e) such other matters as may be provided for by the Minister under subsection (7) or (8).

(4) In preparing its service delivery plan a local authority shall

(a) take account of such policies and objectives in relation to any of its functional programmes that are set out in

(i) any other plan, statement or strategy under the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2014,

(ii) any service level agreements, or

(iii) any other document prepared by it under this Act or any other enactment,

and in so preparing its plan the local authority shall comply with sections 69 and 71, and

(b) having regard to the outcome of any assessment carried out pursuant to subsection (6), indicate the actions proposed to be taken to meet any performance standard prescribed by the Minister under subsection (7) or as a result of a comparison with any relevant indicator identified by the National Oversight and Audit Commission or prescribed by the Minister under section 126C(1).

(5)(a) As soon as may be following the adoption of the local authority budget, the service delivery plan shall be

(i) prepared, in consultation with the elected members, under the direction of the chief executive in such manner, and in accordance with the timescale and format as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, and

(ii) considered by the elected members and be adopted by resolution, with or without amendment, within such time limit and in accordance with such conditions and requirements, as may be so prescribed.

(b) In making an amendment under paragraph (a)(ii), the elected members shall have regard to the local authority budget adopted in accordance with section 103(9).

(c) The adoption of the service delivery plan, with or without amendments, is a reserved function.

(6) A local authority shall include in its annual report an assessment of its delivery of services during the year concerned when compared with its service delivery plan for that year, including reference to those performance standards and performance indicators specified in regulations made under this section and such relevant indicators identified by the National Oversight and Audit Commission or prescribed by the Minister under section 126C(1) as are appropriate.

(7)(a) The Minister may make regulations for one or more of the following matters:

(i) performance standards against which the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of services may be measured, and performance indicators to facilitate the evaluation of the performance of the local authority;

(ii) the comparison of one local authority, or class of local authorities, to another local authority or class of local authorities, as the case may be, in the delivery of services, and as appropriate, against any performance standard specified;

(iii) such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate in relation to the preparation of service delivery plans.

(b) Before making regulations under this subsection, the Minister shall consult with the National Oversight and Audit Commission, and with any other Minister of the Government in respect of services provided by a local authority for which that other Minister is responsible.

(c) Regulations made by the Minister under this subsection shall be without prejudice to relevant indicators specified by the National Oversight and Audit Commission or prescribed by the Minister under section 126C(1).

(8)(a) The Minister may issue guidelines in respect of

(i) the content and preparation of service delivery plans,

(ii) publication of service delivery plans,

(iii) such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate,

and each local authority shall have regard to such guidelines.

(b) Guidelines under this subsection may provide for a service delivery plan of a local authority to take account of and to reflect the principal activities of municipal district members within its administrative area and for necessary consultation for that purpose.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F197

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 50, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 135

Report on capital programme.

135

135.—(1) Before the start of each local financial year the F198[chief executive] shall prepare and submit to the elected council a report indicating the programme of capital projects proposed by the local authority for the forthcoming and the following two local financial years having regard to the availability of resources.

(2) A report prepared under subsection (1) may be considered at the local authority budget meeting or at such other meeting as the elected council may by resolution decide.

(3) In considering the question of the resources likely to be available to it a local authority shall so consider—

(a) on the basis of a realistic and prudent assessment of the position, and

(b) on the basis of the information available to it at the time and having regard to the measures proposed by the authority to raise funding itself.

Annotations

Amendments:

F198

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 93, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 136

Furnishing of information to elected council.

136

F199[136. (1) Without prejudice to section 105, 135, 137 or 138, where relevant, a chief executive shall, whenever requested

(a) by an elected council of a local authority for which he or she is the chief executive or by its Cathaoirleach,

(b) by municipal district members of a local authority for which he or she is the chief executive or by the Cathaoirleach of a municipal district,

(c) by a strategic policy committee of a local authority for which he or she is the chief executive or by its chairperson,

(d) by a local community development committee of a local authority for which he or she is the chief executive or by its chairperson, or

(e) by a joint body for which he or she is the chief executive, or by its chairperson,

afford to the council, municipal district members, Cathaoirleach, committee, chairperson or joint body concerned (as the case may be) all information that may be in the possession or procurement of such chief executive in regard to any act, matter or thing relating to or concerning any business or transaction of such local authority, municipal district members, committee or joint body (as the case may be) which is mentioned in the request.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), on or before the seventh day of each month, or such other date in each month set by resolution of the council, the chief executive shall prepare a report, to be known as the management report, in relation to the performance of his or her executive functions during the preceding calendar month, including implementation of policy or other matters required by the council in the exercise of its reserved functions, and the provision of services by the council, and shall on the set day furnish a copy of the management report to each member of the local authority.

(3) The Minister may prescribe by regulations

(a) the form and content of the management report,

(b) the co-ordination of the management report with such other reporting requirements in this or in any other enactment as may be so prescribed,

(c) the provision for certain elements of the management report, including information provided pursuant to subsection (5), being reported on a quarterly basis or such other basis as may be specified.

(4) The Minister may issue general policy guidelines for the purposes of subsections (2), (3) and (5) and local authorities shall comply with any such guidelines.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (3) and (4) and the requirements of section 126D in respect of any report which the local authority is the subject of, the management report shall include information on the steps taken in relation to any relevant report of the National Oversight and Audit Commission.

(6) In respect of management reports not considered at a meeting of the local authority, such reports shall be on the agenda of the next appropriate meeting of the local authority for consideration.

(7) In this section "quarterly basis" means a period of 3 consecutive months ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December in any year.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F199

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 51, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E253

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 94 provides for the substitution of “chief executive” for “manager”. This amendment is obsolete as the entire section has been substituted by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 51, as per F-note above.

Section 137

Plans, specifications to be prepared for elected council.

137

137.—(1) The elected council or a joint body may at any time by resolution require the F200[chief executive] for the local authority or joint body concerned to prepare and submit to the elected council or joint body, as the case may be—

(a) plans and specifications for the execution of any particular work specified in the resolution which can lawfully be executed by the local authority or joint body, and

(b) an estimate of the probable cost of the execution of such work.

(2) Whenever the elected council or joint body passes a resolution to which subsection (1) relates, the F200[chief executive] concerned shall, as soon as conveniently may be, prepare and submit to the elected council or joint body, plans and specifications and an estimate in accordance with the resolution.

Annotations

Amendments:

F200

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 95-96, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 138

Prior information to elected council.

138

138.—(1) The F201[chief executive] shall inform the elected council or joint body concerned—

(a) before any works (other than works of maintenance or repair) of the local authority or joint body concerned are undertaken, or

(b) before committing the local authority or joint body concerned to any expenditure in connection with proposed works (other than works of maintenance or repair).

(2) Subject to this section, an elected council or joint body may by resolution direct that, before the F201[chief executive] performs any specified executive function of the local authority or joint body, he or she shall inform the elected council or joint body, as the case may be, of the manner in which he or she proposes to perform that function, and the F201[chief executive] shall comply with the resolution.

(3) A resolution under subsection (2) may relate to any particular case or occasion or to every case or occasion of the performance of the specified executive function and may define what information is to be given and how and when it is to be given and the F201[chief executive] shall comply with the resolution.

(4) Nothing in this section prevents the F201[chief executive] from dealing immediately with any situation which he or she considers is an emergency situation calling for immediate action without regard to subsections (1) to (3).

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4), an emergency situation for the purpose of that subsection shall be deemed to include a situation where, in the opinion of the F201[chief executive], the works concerned are urgent and necessary (having regard to personal health, public health or safety considerations) in order to provide a reasonable standard of accommodation for any person.

Annotations

Amendments:

F201

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 97-101, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C40

Application of section restricted (8.03.2023) by Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000), s. 179A(4) as inserted by Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 (47/2022), s. 14, S.I. No. 107 of 2023, art. 2.

[Local authority own housing development

179A. ...

(4) Sections 138, 139 and 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply in respect of development to which this section applies.

]

Section 139

Direction that works not proceed.

139

139.—(1) Where the elected council or joint body is informed in accordance with section 138 of any works (not being any works which the local authority or joint body are required by or under statute or by order of a court to undertake), the elected council or joint body, as the case may be, may by resolution, direct that those works shall not proceed.

(2) The F202[chief executive] shall comply with a resolution of an elected council or joint body duly and lawfully passed under this section.

Annotations

Amendments:

F202

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 102, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C41

Application of section restricted (8.03.23) by Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000), s. 179A(4) as inserted by Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 (47/2022), s. 14, S.I. No. 107 of 2023, art. 2.

Local authority own housing development

[179A. ...

(4) Sections 138, 139 and 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply in respect of development to which this section applies.

]

Editorial Notes:

E254

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted by Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), s. 36(5)(b), not commenced; repealed (1.01.2014) by Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013), s. 4(1), S.I. No. 575 of 2013.

Section 140

Requirement that a particular thing be done.

140

140.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes a joint body.

(2) Subject to this section, an elected council or joint body may by resolution require any particular act, matter or thing specifically mentioned in the resolution and which the local authority or the F203[chief executive] concerned can lawfully do or effect, to be done or effected in the performance of the executive functions of the local authority.

(3) Notice of the intention to propose a resolution under this section shall be given in writing to the F203[chief executive] and the notice—

(a) shall be signed by F204[at least 2 members],

(b) shall contain the text of the proposed resolution, and

(c) may require that the proposed resolution be considered at a special meeting and shall then specify a day (F204[not less than 5 days] after the day on which the notice is received by the F203[chief executive]) for the holding of the special meeting.

(4) A resolution under this section shall not be considered at a meeting of the local authority which is held F204[less than 5 days] after the day on which the F203[chief executive] received the relevant notice under subsection (3).

(5) Where the F203[chief executive] receives a notice under subsection (3), he or she shall, as soon as possible, send a copy of the notice to every member of the local authority and, if the notice requires a special meeting and subsection (6) does not apply, a special meeting of the local authority shall be convened for the day specified in that behalf in the notice.

(6) Where a notice under subsection (3) specifies a day for the holding of a special meeting, and an ordinary meeting of the local authority is to be held on a day within the period of 14 days after the day on which the F203[chief executive] receives the notice, the resolution shall be considered at that ordinary meeting and a special meeting shall not be convened.

(7) Without prejudice to any other relevant requirements, it is necessary for the passing of a resolution under this section that at least one-third of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

(8) A motion to pass a resolution under this section shall be considered before any other business at the meeting, other than—

(a) the election of a Cathaoirleach at any meeting where that office falls to be filled in accordance with Part 5, or

(b) any other business which the elected council or joint body may decide should take precedence.

(9) Where a resolution is duly and lawfully passed under this section, and if and when and in so far as money for its purpose is or has been provided, the F203[chief executive] shall cause the act, matter or thing mentioned in the resolution to be implemented.

(10) A resolution under this section does not apply or extend—

(a) to the performance of any function of a local authority generally,

F205[(aa) to the performance of any function, the doing of any act or the making of any decision under or for the purposes of the Local Government Act 2019,]

(b) to every case or occasion of the performance of any such function or to a number or class of such cases or occasions so extended as to be substantially or in effect every case or occasion on which any such function is performed,

(c) to every case or occasion of the performance of any such function in a particular area or to a number or class of such cases or occasions so extended as to be substantially or in effect every case or occasion on which any such function is performed in that area, F206[]

F207[(d) so as to prevent the performance of any function of a local authority which the authority or the chief executive is required by law or by order of a court to perform,

(e) to any act, matter or thing to be done or effected in the performance of the executive functions of a local authority in respect of its functions as a planning authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000, or

(f) to a decision to provide, to any named person or group, any service, finance or other form of assistance or benefit, financial or otherwise.]

and any resolution claiming to be passed under this section which contravenes this subsection is void.

(11) This section is without prejudice to section 34 of the Act of 2000 insofar as the said section 34 applies to notices under subsection (3) and resolutions referred to in subsection (7).

Annotations

Amendments:

F203

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 103-108, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F204

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 52(a)-(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F205

Inserted (31.01.2019) by Local Government Act 2019 (1/2019), s. 35(c), S.I. No. 20 of 2019.

F206

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 52(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F207

Substituted and inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 52(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C42

Application of section restricted (8.03.2023) by Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000), s. 179A(4) as inserted by Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 (47/2022), s. 14, S.I. No. 107 of 2023, art. 2.

Local authority own housing development

[179A. ...

(4) Sections 138, 139 and 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply in respect of development to which this section applies.

]

Editorial Notes:

E255

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(4) provides for the amendment of subs. (10) in the manner set out in sch. 1 of that Act, but no amendment is listed in the schedule.

E256

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted by Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), s. 36(5)(b), (16), not commenced; repealed (1.01.2014) by Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013), s. 4(1), S.I. No. 575 of 2013.

Section 141

Duty of members appointed to other bodies.

141

141.—(1) Where one or more than one member of a local authority is elected, appointed or nominated by that authority to another body, whether established by or under statute or otherwise, it is the duty of that member or members to represent the local authority and to present a report to it on the activities and operation of that body—

(a) annually, or

(b) at any other time, if so requested by resolution or by the Cathaoirleach.

F208[(1A) A member of a local authority who is elected, appointed or nominated by that authority to another body in accordance with subsection (1), shall, within 15 working days of the end of each 3 monthly period to 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in each year notify the local authority concerned of all attendances by the member at meetings of the body concerned and any payments made by or on behalf of that body (including details of distances travelled where payments are in respect of the use of a private vehicle) to the member during the period.

(1B) Subsection (1A) shall also apply to a former member of a local authority or to a period after the holding of local elections in respect of any payments while a member of the authority but received after he or she ceases to be a member of the authority or after the holding of local elections.]

(2) Every report to which subsection (1) relates shall be presented by the member or members concerned to a meeting of the local authority.

(3) Nothing in this section requires the disclosure of information to the authority which is confidential or which could not otherwise be disclosed.

(4) This section also applies to any person who holds membership of a body, by virtue of being Cathaoirleach or any other member of a local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F208

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 142

Members’ expenses, remuneration, etc.

142

142.—(1) The Minister may by regulations, made with the consent of the Minister for Finance, provide for the payment by a local authority of allowances for expenses incurred by its members in connection with—

F209[(a) attendance at meetings of

(i) the local authority,

(ii) municipal district members of that authority,

(iii) a committee of that authority, or

(iv) a joint committee or joint body involving that authority;

(b) attendance at conferences, seminars, training or other events to which subsection (5) or (5A) applies;]

(c) the post of chair of a strategic policy committee;

(d) any other specified matter.

(2) Regulations under this section may also provide for—

(a) the payment of remuneration to members or to Cathaoirligh of specified classes of local authorities, or

(b) subject to subsection (4)(i), the making of superannuation arrangements in respect of members of specified classes of local authorities.

(3) Any payments referred to in subsection (1) or (2) are subject to and shall be made in accordance with regulations made under this section.

(4) Regulations under this section may provide for—

(a) an annual amount in respect of remuneration in such cases as may be specified;

(b) a composite annual allowance in respect of attendances at meeting referred to in subsection (1)(a) and at such events or other matters as may be specified;

(c) arrangements to apply as regards the authorisation under subsection (5) by the local authority of attendances to which that subsection applies;

(d) conditions, restrictions or other requirements to apply in relation to allowances, remuneration or superannuation and the making of payments (including the abatement or reduction in whole or in part of allowances or remuneration in specified circumstances or for specified persons in receipt of allowances or remuneration provided by a public authority or otherwise from public funds);

(e) the furnishing of specified information to a local authority for the purposes of this section;

(f) the payment of allowances to persons who are not members of a local authority;

(g) a public register of attendances and payments to which this section and section 143 relate;

F210[(ga) a public register of all attendances and payments to which section 141 relates;]

(h) deductions from payments referred to in subsection (1) or (2) for such matters as may be specified;

(i) the approval of the Minister, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to such arrangements for superannuation purposes as may be specified;

(j) the giving of directions from time to time in relation to any matter the subject of such regulations;

(k) any other matters which appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of this section.

(5)(a) This subsection applies to a conference, seminar F211[] or other meeting or event held, whether within or outside the State, for the purpose of discussing, obtaining or imparting information regarding or connected with any matter that is of concern to the local authority in relation to the performance of its functions and is relevant to its administrative area and to the local community.

(b) An elected council may authorise one or more of its members to represent the authority at a meeting or event to which this subsection applies and such authorisation may, subject to regulations under this section, be given in an individual case or as regards such attendances generally during a particular year.

(c) A local authority may provide in its budget an amount to meet expenditure for the purposes of this subsection.

(d) An elected council shall not authorise under this subsection unless, having had regard to the following matters, it is satisfied that the authorisation is justified by reference to—

(i) the benefits likely to accrue,

(ii) the general interests of its administrative area and the local community, and

(iii) the total cost involved.

(e) An authorisation under this subsection is a reserved function and such authorisations shall not exceed the amount provided for in accordance with paragraph (c).

F212[(f) Where a member of an elected council attends a conference, seminar or other meeting or event held by virtue of an authorisation under this section, he or she shall, within 15 working days of such attendance, submit to the Cathaoirleach a written report, which shall indicate the nature of the meeting and contain a summary of the proceedings, and the Cathaoirleach shall submit the report to the next ordinary meeting of the local authority.

(fa) A report prepared for the purposes of paragraph (f) shall be made available free of charge by the local authority to any member of the public who so requests and for that purpose may be made available by that authority on its internet website.

(g) Without prejudice to paragraphs (a) to (fa), the Minister may issue general guidelines for the purposes of this subsection, including guidelines as to expenditure in relation to attendance at conferences, seminars or other meetings or events.]

F213[(5A)(a) This subsection applies to training regarding or connected with any matter that is of concern to the local authority in relation to the performance of its functions and is relevant to its administrative area and to the local community.

(b) An elected council may authorise one or more of its members to avail of training or attend training events to which this subsection applies and such authorisation may, subject to regulations under this section, be given in an individual case or as regards such attendances generally during a particular year.

(c) A local authority may provide in its budget an amount to meet expenditure for the purposes of this subsection.

(d) An elected council shall not authorise under this subsection unless, having had regard to the following matters, it is satisfied that the authorisation is justified having particular regard to any training referred to in guidelines issued in accordance with paragraph (f) and having regard to

(i) the benefits likely to accrue,

(ii) the general interests of its administrative area and the local community, and

(iii) the total cost involved.

(e) An authorisation under this subsection is a reserved function and such authorisations shall not exceed the amount provided for in accordance with paragraph (c).

(f) Without prejudice to paragraphs (a) to (e), the Minister may issue general guidelines for the purposes of this subsection, including guidelines as to the syllabus of a training programme, the development of a training programme, the nomination of training by specified bodies, either generally or in respect of specified courses, as suitable for inclusion in a training programme and expenditure in relation to attendance at specified training events.

(g) The Minister may make regulations

(i) requiring attendance within a specified period by members of local authorities, or any class of such members, at training or development courses (otherwise than at his or her own expense) of a type necessary or appropriate for the members to attend so as to enable each such member to discharge his or her duties as a member of the local authority, joint board, committee of a local authority or member of another body to which section 141(1) relates, as the case may be,

(ii) providing for a reduction in remuneration or any allowances for expenses (including the amount of such reduction expressed as a percentage of specified remuneration or allowances for expenses, as the case may be) which would otherwise be payable to a member of a local authority by virtue of regulations under this section where such member fails to attend training or development courses which he or she is required to attend under regulations to which subparagraph (i) relates, and

(iii) providing for exceptional or compassionate grounds (either generally or by reference to specified types of circumstances) where a reduction to which subparagraph (ii) relates would not apply.]

F214[(6) A local authority shall comply with any guidelines issued under subsections (5) (g) and (5A)(f).]

(7) A local authority of a class specified for the purposes of subsection (2) may, in relation to its members or a class or classes of its members and subject to regulations under this section, make provision in relation to the superannuation of its members or in relation to the superannuation of a class or classes of its members.

(8) Regulations made under section 51 of the Local Government Act, 1991, and in force at the commencement of this provision shall continue in force and have effect as if made under this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

Annotations

Amendments:

F209

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F210

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F211

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F212

Substituted and inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(c), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F213

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(d), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F214

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 53(2)(e), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E257

Power pursuant to section exercised (13.09.2023) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Security Allowance for Local Authority Members) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 449 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 2.

E258

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.08.2023) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Allowance for Maternity - Related Administrative Support) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 404 of 2023), in effect as per reg. 2.

E259

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), in effect as per reg. 2.

E260

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), in effect as per reg. 2.

E261

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (10.11.2017) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 494 of 2017); revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 2.

E262

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 2.

E263

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 235 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), reg. 10, in effect as per reg. 2.

E264

Power pursuant to section exercised (6.06.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 281 of 2002), as amended (23.07.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 378 of 2002), and as amended (11.07.2003) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 302 of 2003), and as amended (19.12.2006) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 674 of 2006).

E265

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2002) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 552 of 2001), as amended (6.06.2002) by Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 281 of 2002), reg. 2 and as amended (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 235 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021), reg. 10, in effect as per reg. 2.

E266

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (5.02.2010) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 37 of 2010); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 3.

E267

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2007) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 668 of 2006); revoked (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 3.

Section 143

Allowance for Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

143

143.—(1) (a) A local authority may pay an allowance for reasonable expenses to its Cathaoirleach.

(b) A local authority may pay an allowance for reasonable expenses to its Leas-Chathaoirleach.

(2) A decision to pay an allowance under subsection (1) and the determination of the amount of the allowance is a reserved function.

(3) (a) After consultation with the Minister for Finance, the Minister may issue directions to local authorities or specified classes of local authorities for the purposes of this section.

(b) Without prejudice to paragraph (a), directions may specify—

(i) particular considerations to which the local authority shall have regard, and

(ii) the maximum amounts of the allowances payable under this section, including different amounts for different classes of local authorities.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C43

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 12, in effect as per reg. 3.

Payment of an allowance for reasonable expenses of a Cathaoirleach.

12. The provisions of section 143 of the Act shall apply to the payment of an allowance for the reasonable expenses of a Cathaoirleach of municipal district members with the following modifications:—

(a) as if, in subsection (1), the references to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the references to “its” were references to “their”,

(b) the reserved function specified in subsection (2) is a reserved function of the municipal district members concerned, and

(c) as if, in subsection (3), the references to “local authorities” and to “local authority” were references to “municipal district members”.

Editorial Notes:

E268

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), in effect as per reg. 2.

E269

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014), in effect as per reg. 3; revoked (1.07.2021) by Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021), reg. 18, in effect as per reg. 2.

Chapter 2

Position of Chief Executive

Section 144

Position of chief executive

144

144. (1) For every county, city and city and county there shall be a chief executive to be known as "the Chief Executive of....…" (followed by the name of the city council, county council or city and county council, as the case may be) who shall hold employment under the council concerned.

(2) Subject to section 16 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, a person who was, immediately before the 2014 establishment day, a county manager or city manager shall, unless he or she was retiring or resigning with effect from the end of that day, continue in office and shall be referred to in accordance with subsection (1).

(3)(a) A reference in any enactment, however expressed, to a county manager or city manager shall, with effect to the 2014 establishment day, be read (other than in respect of a provision that was spent before that day or is in the nature of a transitional matter provided for by the Local Government Reform Act 2014) as a corresponding reference to a chief executive and, where the context permits or requires, includes a reference to the chief executive of a city and county council.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to

(i) the title of any Act,

(ii) the citation of an instrument made under any Act, or

(iii) the name of any organisation or body referred to in any enactment.

(4) Any function which immediately before the date of the commencement of section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 was, by virtue of any enactment a function of a city manager or a county manager shall, on and from that date, continue to vest in and be a function of the chief executive of the local authority concerned.

(5) The chief executive of a local authority shall by virtue of his or her position be the chief executive for every joint body whose functional area is wholly situated within such county.

(6) Where the functional area of a joint body extends into

(a) two or more counties, or

(b) a city or a city and county and one or more counties,

then the chief executive of such county, city or city and county as the Minister shall by order appoint shall also be the chief executive for such joint body.

(7) The Minister may prescribe by regulations any body to be a joint body and any body so prescribed shall be a joint body for the purposes of this section.

(8) The position of chief executive is, subject to section 145, an office to which the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926, applies.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F215

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C44

Certain offices created under section abolished (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 16(5), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Provisions relating to management of amalgamated local government areas

16. ...

(5) On the 2014 establishment day each of the following shall be abolished and cease to exist:

(a) the office of manager for Limerick County and Limerick City and the office of manager for North Tipperary County and South Tipperary County created by paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively, of section 144(1A) (inserted by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012) of the Principal Act, and

(b) the office of manager for Waterford County and Waterford City created by section 144(1A)(c) (inserted by the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Act 2013) of the Principal Act.

Editorial Notes:

E270

Existing managers of Limerick County and City, North and South Tipperary and Waterford County and City continued as chief executives under Part 14 Chapter 2 (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 16(2)-(4), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

E271

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1A)(c) inserted (2.01.2014) by Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Act 2013 (27/2013), s. 29, S.I. No. 584 of 2013; section substituted as per F-note above.

E272

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (1B) exercised (2.01.2014) by Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council) (Waterford) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 582 of 2013), in effect as per art. 2; ceased on deletion of its enabling provision as per F-note above, subject to continuation as necessary by Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 2(1), commenced (30.01.2014) by S.I. No. 38 of 2014.

E273

Previous affecting provision: subss. (1A)(b) inserted (16.11.2013) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 16(b), S.I. No. 431 of 2013; section substituted as per F-note above.

E274

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (1B) exercised (16.11.2013) by Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council) (Tipperary) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 430 of 2013); ceased on deletion of its enabling provision as per F-note above, subject to continuation as necessary by Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 2(1), commenced (30.01.2014) by S.I. No. 38 of 2014.

E275

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1) substituted (15.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 16(a), S.I. No. 292 of 2012; section substituted as per F-note above.

E276

Previous affecting provision: subss. (1A)(a) and (1B) inserted (15.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 16(b), S.I. No. 292 of 2012; section substituted as per F-note above.

E277

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (1B) exercised (15.08.2012) by Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council) (Limerick) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 271 of 2012); ceased on deletion of its enabling provision as per F-note above, subject to continuation as necessary by Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 2(1), commenced (30.01.2014) by S.I. No. 38 of 2014.

Section 145

F216[Appointment of chief executive.

145

145. (1) The following are reserved functions

(a) the appointment by a county council, city council or a city and county council of a chief executive under section 6 of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926 (in this section referred to as the "Act of 1926") by virtue of a recommendation of the Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service, and

(b) the suspension or removal from employment of a chief executive in accordance with section 146.

(2) For the purposes of section 6 of the Act of 1926 a request shall be deemed to have been submitted in respect of the employment of a chief executive

(a) in the case of a chief executive to whom section 147 applies

(i) 6 months in advance of the expiration of the tenure period referred to in section 147(1), or

(ii) on the date that chief executive ceases to hold employment,

whichever is the earlier, and

(b) in any other case

(i) 6 months in advance of the date that chief executive would attain the age-limit for his or her employment, or

(ii) on the date that chief executive ceases to hold employment,

whichever is the earlier.

(3) Where, as respects a county council, city council or city and county council, including a county council or city council in a group of authorities, a recommendation is made under section 6 of the Act of 1926 of a person for appointment as the chief executive, such council shall

(a) within 3 months of the date of the recommendation meet and decide to appoint or not appoint as chief executive the person so recommended, and

(b) in the event of deciding not to approve the appointment, furnish to the recommended person the reasons for such decision.

(4)(a) The Minister may make regulations relating to the procedures to be followed by every local authority (including a county council or city council in a group of authorities)

(i) when considering a recommendation made to it to which subsection (1)(a) relates, and

(ii) for the purposes of subsection (3),

and each such local authority shall comply with those regulations.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), regulations under this subsection may provide for arrangements to be put in place and used in respect of the consideration of a recommendation made under section 6 of the Act of 1926, and for that purpose such arrangements may include

(i) provisions for the purpose of a local authority seeking information from the recommended person in respect of his or her proposed appointment, the time periods within which

(I) such information may be so sought, and

(II) further information may be so sought,

and the manner of the provision of such information to the local authority,

(ii) the manner of dealing with information, whether from the recommended person or otherwise, associated with such a recommendation,

(iii) the criteria to apply in respect of the consideration of such a recommendation,

(iv) the records to be maintained by a local authority in relation to the consideration of such a recommendation,

(v) the conducting otherwise than in public of any meeting, or part of a meeting, that considers or otherwise relates to such a recommendation, and

(vi) the keeping in a confidential manner of information obtained, whether from the recommended person or otherwise, and records maintained that relate to such a recommendation.

(c) In making regulations under paragraph (a), the Minister may have regard to and take account of any code of practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments under section 23 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 in existence at the time of the making of the regulations that would relate (in whole or in part) to the selection process that precedes a recommendation to which subsection (1)(a) applies.

(5) Where, as respects a county council, city council or city and county council, including a county council or city council in a group of authorities, such council has decided to not appoint as chief executive the person recommended to which subsection (1)(a) relates, then, for the purposes of section 6 (other than subsection (4)) of the Act of 1926, and notwithstanding the said subsection (4) or any other provision of this Act or any other enactment, a further request shall be deemed to have been submitted in respect of the employment of a chief executive.

(6) Where a position of chief executive becomes vacant the Minister shall appoint a person to be the chief executive temporarily until a permanent appointment to the position is made but such temporary appointment may be terminated by the Minister at any time.

(7) Section 5 of the Act of 1926 does not apply to the position of chief executive.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F216

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E278

Power pursuant to section exercised (18.12.2014) by Local Government (Appointment of Chief Executive) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 589 of 2014).

E279

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (3A) exercised (2.01.2014) by Local Government Act 2001 (Appointment of Manager) (Waterford) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 583 of 2013); ceased on deletion of its enabling provision as per F-note above, subject to continuation as necessary by Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 2(1), commenced (30.01.2014) by S.I. No. 38 of 2014.

E280

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to subs. (3A) exercised (14.11.2013) by Local Government Act 2001 (Appointment of Manager) (Tipperary) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 429 of 2013); ceased on deletion of its enabling provision as per F-note above, subject to continuation as necessary by Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 2(1), commenced (30.01.2014) by S.I. No. 38 of 2014.

E281

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1) amended (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch. 2 part 1, commenced on enactment; section substituted as per F-note above.

E282

Previous affecting provision: subs. (3) amended (15.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 17(a), S.I. No. 292 of 2012; section substituted as per F-note above.

E283

Previous affecting provision: subs. (3A) inserted (15.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 292 of 2012; section substituted as per F-note above.

Section 146

F217[Suspension and removal of chief executive

146

146. (1)(a) Subject to this section, the elected council of a local authority may by resolution suspend or remove from employment the chief executive for such local authority for stated misbehaviour or if his or her suspension or removal appears to them to be necessary for the effective performance by the local authority of its functions.

(b) A copy of any resolution passed under this section shall be sent without delay to the Minister.

(2) Notice of the intention to propose a resolution under this section shall

(a) be signed by at least one-third of the total number of members of the local authority concerned,

(b) contain a statement of the reasons for the proposed suspension or removal,

(c) in the case of a suspension, specify a period not exceeding 2 months for the proposed suspension,

(d) specify a day for the holding of a special meeting to consider the proposed suspension or removal being a day which is not less than 21 days after the day on which the notice is delivered under paragraph (e),

(e) be delivered to the meetings administrator, and

(f) be delivered or sent to the chief executive concerned.

(3) The meetings administrator shall on receipt of a notice and without delay send a copy of it to every member of the local authority and convene a special meeting for the date so specified to consider the proposed suspension or removal.

(4) The chief executive may prepare a statement of response in relation to the proposed suspension or removal and such statement shall be sent to each member of the local authority concerned.

(5) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under this section that

(a) at least three-quarters of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution, and

(b) the members of the council concerned shall have considered any statement prepared by the chief executive under subsection (4).

(6) A person who is suspended under this section may subsequently be removed from office in accordance with this section.

(7)(a) A chief executive shall not be removed under this section without the sanction of the Minister given under this subsection.

(b) The Minister may appoint a panel of 3 persons

(i) to consider the removal of a chief executive the subject of a resolution under this section and the chief executives statement of response,

(ii) to recommend whether the Minister should give sanction to such removal, and

(iii) to make such other recommendations (if any) as the panel may consider appropriate in all the circumstances.

(c) A panel shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

(d) A panel shall include a chairperson and 2 other persons having knowledge of or experience in local government, human resources or management.

(e) A sanction shall not be given under this subsection except by virtue of a recommendation under paragraph (b).

(8) The Minister may by regulations prescribe any matter of procedure for the purposes of this section.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F217

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 147

F218[Tenure of chief executive

147

147.(1) Notwithstanding any other enactment, a person appointed to a position of chief executive holds the employment unless he or she earlier dies, resigns or is removed, during whichever of the following tenure periods is the shorter

(a) a period of such length as the Minister specifies by order,

(b) the period from the date of the appointment to the date on which he or she attains F219[the age of 70 years or, where a higher age is prescribed by order under section 3A(2) of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 for the purposes of that Act, that age],

and on the expiration of that period he or she ceases to hold the employment F220[but, where the person is a new entrant (within the meaning of the aforementioned Act) appointed on or after 1 April 2004, the requirement to cease to hold the employment on grounds of age shall not apply].

(2) Notwithstanding any enactment (including subsection (1)) or instrument made under such enactment, the tenure period of a chief executive referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall, subject to and in accordance with this section and with regulations made by the Minister for the purposes of this subsection, be extended where notification (in this section referred to as the "prescribed notification")

(a) is given by the chief executive to the Cathaoirleach of the local authority concerned, and

(b) is in the form prescribed by regulations made under this section, but in no case shall the tenure period as so extended exceed 10 years.

(3) On receipt of a prescribed notification the Cathaoirleach of the local authority concerned shall

(a) inform the members of the local authority of it at the next meeting of that local authority, and

(b) transmit a copy of it to the Minister and to the chief executive of the Public Appointments Service.

(4) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of subsection (2) and such regulations may provide for:

(a) the form of the prescribed notification;

(b) the period (in this section referred to as the "notification period") within which a prescribed notification shall be given;

(c) subject to subsection (2), the period by which the tenure period shall be extended;

(d) the position of chief executive to which subsection (5) does not apply;

(e) the application of different periods for the purposes of paragraphs (b) and (c) to specified classes of chief executive.

(5) Subject to regulations made under subsection (4)(d)

(a) a chief executive whose tenure period is extended under subsection (2) shall not apply for appointment to any position of chief executive during the period commencing on the date the chief executive gives a prescribed notification and ending on a date which is 6 months prior to the expiration of the extended tenure period (in this subsection referred to as the "exclusion period"), and

(b) notwithstanding section 6 of the Local Authorities (Officers Employees) Act 1926, a chief executive who has given a prescribed notification shall not be considered by the Public Appointments Service for selection for any position of chief executive during the exclusion period.

(6)(a) A notification period referred to in subsection (4) (b) shall be wholly within the tenure period.

(b) A prescribed notification for the purposes of this section which is given outside of the notification period is invalid.

(7) Where the tenure period of a chief executive stands extended in accordance with this section, such extended tenure period shall be the tenure period for the purposes of subsection (2) of section 145 and that section shall apply accordingly.

(8) The Local Government (Tenure of Office) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 221 of 2000) and the Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 219 of 2000) shall be deemed to have been made under subsections (1) and (4), respectively, and shall continue to have effect and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

(9) Nothing in this section operates to interfere with or alter the tenure of a chief executive

(a) whose tenure is governed by an order under section 47 of the Local Government Act 1991 (in this subsection referred to as the "Act of 1991"), or

(b) whose tenure is governed by such an order and section 47A (inserted by section 1 of the Local Government Act 2000) of the Act of 1991,

notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of the Act of 1991 and of the Local Government Act 2000.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F218

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F219

Substituted by Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004), s. 3A and sch. 2 part 3 as inserted (26.12.2018) by Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 (39/2018), ss. 3, 7 and sch., commenced on enactment.

F220

Inserted by Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004), s. 3A and sch. 2 part 3 as inserted (26.12.2018) by Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 (39/2018), ss. 3, 7 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C45

Application of subs. (5) restricted (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 3(4).

(4) Section 147(5) of the Act shall not apply to the following positions:

(a) the position of Dublin City Manager,

(b) the position of Cork County Manager,

(c) the position of Cork City Manager,

(d) the position of Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Manager,

(e) the position of Fingal County Manager,

(f) the position of South Dublin County Manager,

(g) the position of Meath County Manager,

(h) the position of Kildare County Manager,

(i) the position of Limerick City Manager,

(j) the position of Limerick County Manager,

(k) the position of Clare County Manager,

(l) the position of Donegal County Manager,

(m) the position of Galway County Manager,

(n) the position of Kerry County Manager,

(o) the position of Kilkenny County Manager,

(p) the position of Louth County Manager,

(q) the position of Mayo County Manager,

(r) the position of North Tipperary County Manager,

(s) the position of South Tipperary County Manager,

(t) the position of Waterford County Manager,

(u) the position of Waterford City Manager,

(v) the position of Westmeath County Manager,

(w) the position of Wexford County Manager, and

(x) the position of Wicklow County Manager.

Editorial Notes:

E284

Power pursuant to section exercised (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013).

E285

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (23.10.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 406 of 2012); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(c).

E286

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (15.05.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 157 of 2012); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(b).

E287

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (13.02.2012) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 50 of 2012); tenure period of then current Limerick City Manager ceased 28.03.2012.

E288

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised and application of subs. (5) restricted (11.11.2011) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 573 of 2011); revoked (26.11.2013) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013), reg. 4(a).

E289

Previous affecting provision: subss. (3) and (5) amended (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch. 2 part 1, commenced on enactment; section substituted as per F-note above.

E290

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised and application of subs. (5) restricted (12.02.2003) by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 47 of 2003); revoked (11.11.2011) by by Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 573 of 2011), reg. 4.

Section 148

F221[Deputy chief executive

148

148.(1)(a) A chief executive, following consultation with the Cathaoirleach of the local authority concerned may by order appoint an employee of that authority to be a deputy chief executive for the purposes of subsection (2) and may at any time terminate such appointment.

(b) An order under paragraph (a) may provide that where an appointee specified in the order is not available such other employee as may be so specified shall stand appointed as deputy chief executive for so long as the first-mentioned appointee is unavailable.

(c) An appointment under this subsection may be made by reference to a particular individual or to the holder for the time being of a particular employment.

(2) A deputy chief executive shall by virtue of this section act as and be the chief executive for the duration of any period which may arise from time to time (whether by way of vacation, illness or other reason) during which the chief executive is temporarily unable to act.

(3)(a) Where a chief executive has for any reason become temporarily unable to act and

(i) has not made an appointment under subsection (1),

(ii) there is no subsisting appointment, or

(iii) the appointee is incapacitated or otherwise unable to act,

the Cathaoirleach of the local authority concerned may appoint an employee of the local authority to be deputy chief executive for the remainder of the duration of the inability of the chief executive to act and may at any time terminate such appointment.

(b) Notification of an appointment under subsection (1) or (3) shall be sent to the Minister and every member of every local authority concerned as soon as may be after the appointment is made.

(4)(a) The Minister may appoint an employee of a local authority to be deputy chief executive if a chief executive is for any reason temporarily unable to act and an appointment under subsection (1)or (3) is not for the time being in force.

(b) The Minister may at any time terminate an appointment to which paragraph (a) applies.

(5) A deputy chief executive shall act as and be the chief executive during the continuance of the inability of the chief executive to act or until

(a) the appointment is sooner terminated under subsection (1), (3) or (4), or

(b) on account of the death, retirement, resignation or inability otherwise to act, of the deputy chief executive.

(6) A reference in any enactment including this Act to a chief executive shall be read as including a deputy chief executive acting as chief executive in accordance with this section.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F221

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C46

Section applied with modifications (14.06.2019) by Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 (12/2019), s. 3(2)(b), S.I. No. 260 of 2019.

Designation of competent authority

3. ...

(2) ...

(b) Sections 148 and 154 of the Act of 2001 shall, with all necessary modifications, apply to the chief executive, this Act and the Act of 2000 as those sections apply to the chief executive and the Act of 2001.

...

Editorial Notes:

E291

Previous affecting provision: subs. (1)(a) substituted, subs. (3)(a) amended and subs. (3A) inserted (15.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 18, S.I. No. 292 of 2012; section substituted as per F-note above.

Section 149

F222[Executive functions

149

149.(1) In this section

"elected council" includes the members of a joint body;

"local authority" includes a joint body.

(2) In respect of each local authority for which he or she is chief executive, a chief executive is responsible for

(a) the efficient and effective operation of each such local authority, and

(b) for ensuring under section 132 the implementation without undue delay of the decisions of the elected council.

(3) For the purposes of discharging the responsibilities set out under subsection (2), the chief executive shall

(a) exercise and perform in respect of each local authority for which he or she is the chief executive, the executive functions of such local authority (including all functions in relation to the employees of each such local authority), and

(b) for that purpose carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the authority.

(4) Every function of a local authority which is not a reserved function is, for the purposes of this Act, an executive function of such local authority.

(5) All such matters and things, including the making of contracts and the affixing of the official seal, as are necessary for or incidental to the exercise or performance of the executive functions of a local authority shall, subject to this Act or any regulations made under it, be done by the chief executive for such local authority.

(6) Subject to law, the functions of a chief executive shall be performed in accordance with the policy of the local authority as determined by the elected council in accordance with Chapter 1 of this Part.

(7) The chief executive, in performing his or her functions in accordance with subsection (6), shall have regard to the views of the elected members of the council, expressed in any of the following ways:

(a) at a meeting of the council;

(b) at a meeting of the municipal district members;

(c) at a meeting of any committee of the council;

(d) in responses in writing to any request for input to the development by the local authority of a new policy or an amendment of an existing policy.

(8) The chief executive shall, when requested by the elected council

(a) report on the actions already taken and planned to be taken in exercise of his or her executive functions,

(b) review the implementation of, and any actions planned to implement, any executive function and report to the council in the matter.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F222

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 149A
149A

F223[Executive functions and shared services

149A.(1) In respect of executive functions of a local authority, where 2 or more local authorities agree, or had agreed before the commencement of this section, that, in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness, a specified executive function should be performed by one of them (in this subsection referred to as the "nominated local authority") on behalf of the other local authority or local authorities (as the case may be), then the nominated local authority may perform, and be deemed always to have had the power to perform, the function on behalf of the other local authority or local authorities (as the case may be).

(2) Nothing in this section shall be read as affecting section 34(1)(aa) (inserted by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001) of the Waste Management Act 1996.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F223

Inserted (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 54(1), commenced as per s. 1(22).

Chapter 3

Procedural Matters

Section 150

Definitions.

150

150.—In this Chapter—

“elected council” includes the members of a joint body;

“local authority” includes a joint body.

Section 151

Manager acting by signed order.

151

151.—(1) The F224[chief executive] shall in carrying out the executive functions for each local authority for which he or she is F224[chief executive] act by a written order signed and dated by him or her in respect of the functions to which this section applies.

(2) This section applies to every executive function which—

(a) is required by this or any other enactment to be done by order of a F224[chief executive],

(b) is mentioned in Schedule 15,

(c) is designated by order made by the Minister under subsection (9), or

(d) is considered by the F224[chief executive] to be of sufficient importance to be done by order.

(3) Every F224[chief executive] shall keep, in respect of each local authority for which he or she is F224[chief executive], a register in which is entered a copy of every order made by him or her in accordance with this section for such local authority.

(4) At every meeting of a local authority, there shall be available for inspection by the elected council so much of the register referred to in subsection (3) as contains any orders made by the F224[chief executive] since the last previous meeting of the local authority.

(5) Any member of a local authority is entitled on request to be furnished by the F224[chief executive] for the local authority with a copy of a particular order made by the F224[chief executive].

(6) Every document claiming to be an order made and signed by a F224[chief executive] shall—

(a) be received in evidence without proof of the signature of the person claiming to sign such document or that such person was such F224[chief executive], and

(b) until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be an order duly made and signed by such F224[chief executive] in accordance with this section and to have been so signed on the date stated in that document.

F225[(7) Every document claiming to be certified in writing

(a) by a chief executive to be a true copy of an order made by a chief executive in accordance with this section, or

(b) by a delegated employee in accordance with section 154 to be a true copy of an order made by a delegated employee in accordance with that section,

shall

(i) be received in evidence without proof of the signature of the person claiming so to certify or that such person was such chief executive or such delegated employee, as the case may be, and

(ii) until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be evidence of the contents of the order of which it claims to be a copy and of the fact that such order was duly made and signed by such chief executive in accordance with this section or by such delegated employee in accordance with section 154, as the case may be, on the date stated in the certified copy.]

(8) The failure or omission to act by signed order in accordance with this section does not of itself operate to invalidate any action or decision taken by a F224[chief executive] or a local authority.

(9) The Minister may by order designate an executive function to be a function to which this section applies.

(10) Subject to the provisions of any other enactment, nothing in this section shall be read as precluding the revocation or amendment of an order made by a F224[chief executive] by a subsequent such order.

(11) Nothing in Schedule 15 shall be read as prejudicing the functions conferred on an elected council by this Act.

Annotations

Amendments:

F224

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 109-118, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F225

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 55, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E292

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 116 provides for the substitution of “chief executive” for “manager” in subs. (7). This amendment is obsolete as subs. (7) has been substituted by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 55, see F-note above.

Section 152

Attendance of manager at local authority meetings.

152

152.—(1) Every F226[chief executive] has the right—

(a) to attend and speak at meetings of a local authority for which he or she is F226[chief executive], and

(b) to take part in its discussions,

but shall not be entitled to vote on any question which is decided by a vote of the members of such local authority.

(2) In so far as it is not inconsistent with the due performance of functions by a F226[chief executive] in relation to the local authorities for which he or she is F226[chief executive], a manager shall attend—

(a) any meeting of a local authority for which he or she is F226[chief executive] where he or she is requested by the elected council of that local authority to attend, and

(b) any meeting of a committee of a local authority where he or she is requested by the elected council of that local authority to attend.

(3) Whenever a F226[chief executive] attends a meeting of a local authority or of a committee of the local authority in accordance with subsection (2)

(a) he or she shall give to the elected council of such local authority or committee (as the case may be) such advice and assistance as shall reasonably be required of him or her by the council or committee (and the members of the council or committee shall have regard to that advice or assistance), and

(b) he or she shall arrange for the attendance at such meeting of such of the employees of the local authorities for which he or she is F226[chief executive] as may be appropriate having regard to the business to be transacted at that meeting.

F227[(3A) This section applies to the chief executive of a local authority in respect of meetings of a municipal district of the local authority in the same manner as it applies to meetings of that authority.]

(4) Without prejudice to section 154, in this section F226[chief executive] includes an employee to whom the functions of the F226[chief executive] stand delegated in accordance with that section in respect of the local authority in question.

Annotations

Amendments:

F226

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 119-121, 123, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F227

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 122, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 153

Legal proceedings.

153

153.—(1) The F228[chief executive] for a local authority—

(a) shall act for and on behalf of the local authority in every action or other legal proceeding whether civil or criminal, instituted by or against the local authority, and

(b) may do all such acts, matters, and things as he or she may consider necessary for the preparation and prosecution or defence of such action or other proceeding in the same manner in all respects as if (as the case may require) he or she were the plaintiff, prosecutor, defendant or other party to that action or other proceeding.

(2) Where an action or other proceeding relates to the exercise or performance by the local authority of a reserved function, the F228[chief executive] for that authority shall, in the doing of any such act, matter, or thing referred to in subsection (1), act with the express authorisation of the elected council of such local authority, and in any proceedings such authorisation shall be deemed to have been given unless or until the contrary is shown.

Annotations

Amendments:

F228

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 124, 125, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 154

Delegation of functions.

154

154.—(1) This section does not apply for the purposes of the appointment of a deputy F229[chief executive], in respect of which section 148 applies.

(2) A F229[chief executive] for a local authority may by order delegate such of his or her functions as he or she thinks proper to an employee of any local authority for which he or she is F229[chief executive] and such person shall perform such duties as are appropriate to the functions so delegated and shall for that purpose and subject to this section act in place of the F229[chief executive].

(3) Where a delegation is made under this section—

(a) the employee shall perform the delegated function under the general direction and control of the F229[chief executive],

(b) the employee shall perform the delegated function in accordance with such (if any) limitations as may be specified in the delegation as to the area or period in which or the extent to which he or she is to perform that function,

(c) a provision of or under this or any other enactment which vests functions in the F229[chief executive] or regulates the manner in which any function is to be performed (including the making of an order under section 151) shall, if and in so far as it is applicable to the delegated function, have effect, for the purposes of the performance of that function by the employee, with the substitution of the employee for the F229[chief executive] and every such provision shall be read accordingly.

(4) Where a function is delegated under this section the function shall continue to be vested in the F229[chief executive] but shall be so vested concurrently with the employee to whom it is delegated and so as to be capable of being performed by either such F229[chief executive] or such employee.

(5) The F229[chief executive] may by order amend or revoke a delegation made under this section or made under any other provision repealed by this Act.

(6) Where a function is performed by an employee pursuant to a delegation under this section and any surcharge or charge subsequently falls to be made consequent on such performance in case the payment was made or authorised to be made or the loss or deficiency was caused, by the employee, the F229[chief executive] shall be treated as if he or she also had made or authorised the making of the payment or had caused the loss or deficiency.

(7) A delegation under this section may be made to a particular employee of a local authority or to the holder for the time being of a specified class, description or grade of employment under a local authority.

(8) Notification of a delegation under this section or of its subsequent amendment or revocation shall be given to the members of the local authority concerned.

(9) Any defect in a delegation or the absence of a delegation in respect of a function performed by an employee acting in good faith on behalf of the local authority does not of itself operate to invalidate any action or decision of the local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F229

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 126-132, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C47

Section applied with modifications (14.06.2019) by Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 (12/2019), s. 3(2)(b), S.I. No. 260 of 2019.

Designation of competent authority

3. ...

(2) ...

(b) Sections 148 and 154 of the Act of 2001 shall, with all necessary modifications, apply to the chief executive, this Act and the Act of 2000 as those sections apply to the chief executive and the Act of 2001.

...

Chapter 4

Local Authority Personnel

Section 155

Definitions (Chapter 4).

155

155.—In this Chapter, except where the context otherwise requires—

“appropriate Minister” has the meaning given by section 156;

“Board” means the body established under article 4 of the Local Government Management Services Board (Establishment) Order, 1996 (S.I. No. 410 of 1996), or any other body established by the Minister under section 3 of the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971, or otherwise, to provide services similar to those of the Board;

F230[]

“local authority” includes a joint body.

Annotations

Amendments:

F230

Deleted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch. 2 part 1, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E293

The Local Government Management Services Board was dissolved (1.08.2012) by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), s. 10(c), S.I. No. 297 of 2012. This provision now probably refers to Local Government Management Agency, established the same day.

Section 156

Appropriate Minister.

156

156.—(1) In this Chapter “appropriate Minister” means—

(a) where the duties of a particular employment or employments of a particular class, description or grade relate wholly or mainly to the functions of a Minister of the Government other than the Minister, such Minister of the Government,

(b) in all other cases, the Minister.

(2) If any question or dispute arises as to whether the duties of a particular employment or employments of a particular class, description or grade relate wholly or mainly to the functions of a Minister of the Government other than the Minister, the matter shall be referred to the Minister for determination and the decision of the Minister shall be final.

(3) The appropriate Minister, may amend or revoke any declaration made or deemed to have been made or any direction given by him or her under this Chapter.

Section 157

Application (Chapter 4).

157

157.—(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3), this Chapter applies to every employment under a local authority and to every employee of a local authority.

(2) (a) For the purposes of this Part, an employee of a local authority includes every person who is, immediately prior to the commencement of this section, a holder of an office under a local authority.

(b) The fact that a person is employed by a local authority on the commencement of any provision of this Chapter is not a ground for contending that such provision does not apply in relation to him or her.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, the following offices are deemed not to be employments under a local authority and every holder, as such, of any of those offices is deemed not to be the holder of an employment under a local authority—

(a) the office of coroner or deputy coroner under the Coroners Act, 1962,

(b) the offices under the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, of caretaker and assistant to the caretaker of courthouse accommodation,

(c) the offices under the Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, of poundkeeper and assistant to a poundkeeper.

(4) For the purpose of this Chapter, a payment to a person by virtue of section 142(2) is not a ground for contending that the person is an employee of a local authority.

Section 158

Provisions relating to the employment of persons by local authorities.

158

158.—(1) (a) Subject to this Chapter, Chapter 2 of this Part and the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Acts, 1926 to 1983, a local authority may employ such and so many persons as the local authority may, from time to time, think proper.

(b) A local authority shall determine the remuneration and conditions of employment of its employees and may, from time to time, alter the remuneration and conditions of employment of such employees.

(c) F231[]

(d) The appropriate Minister may at any time direct that any of the functions conferred on a local authority by this Chapter shall, in relation to an employment or employments for which he or she is the appropriate Minister, be exercisable either generally or in relation to a particular local authority or to specified local authorities, only with his or her consent, or subject to such other conditions or requirements as may be so directed.

(2) A local authority in exercising any function referred to in subsection (1) in relation to an employment for which the Minister is the appropriate Minister, shall, subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of that subsection, have regard to any guidelines, codes of practice or other guidance issued by the Board in relation to such function.

(3) The functions conferred on an elected council or a Cathaoirleach by this Part, other than those referred to in sections 145(1) and 148, do not apply or extend to employees of a local authority or to the performance of any executive function in relation to such employees or their direction, supervision, service, remuneration or discipline and any resolution which claims to so apply or extend is invalid.

Annotations

Amendments:

F231

Deleted by Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004), s. 3A and sch. 2 part 3 as inserted (26.12.2018) by Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 (39/2018), ss. 3, 7 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 159

Staffing and organisational arrangements.

159

159.—(1) The F232[chief executive] shall for the purposes of discharging the responsibilities set out under section 149 make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.

(2) Subject to this Part the functions of a local authority may be discharged through or by the employees of that authority or any other local authority for which the F232[chief executive] is responsible.

(3) An employee of a local authority shall—

(a) perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her in relation to his or her employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the F232[chief executive] is responsible, and

(b) carry out such instructions as may be duly given in relation to the performance of his or her duties.

(4) Where by an agreement or arrangement under Part 10 or otherwise a local authority exercises or performs a function of another body or provides a service to another body,

(a) it is the duty of every employee of the local authority to perform such duties appropriate to the nature of that function or service as the local authority may decide, and

(b) in case the other body is a local authority, it is the duty of every employee of that local authority to refrain from performing such duties appropriate to the nature of that function or service as that local authority may decide.

(5)(a) An employee of a local authority shall not engage—

(i) in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of the local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of the local authority, or

(ii) in any occupation which might—

(I) conflict with the interests of the local authority, or

(II) be inconsistent with the discharge of his or her duties as a local authority employee.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), an employee of a local authority, the qualifications for whose post are wholly or in part professional, shall not engage in private practice in the profession in which he or she is employed by the local authority or local authorities or in any cognate profession.

(c) Where an employee of a local authority is in breach of paragraph (a) or (b), the local authority shall determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken, which action may include suspension with or without pay or termination of employment or such other action as the local authority considers appropriate.

(d) In considering the action to be taken under paragraph (c) a local authority may have regard to the need to uphold public confidence in the integrity of the discharge of its functions.

Annotations

Amendments:

F232

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 133-135, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 160

Qualifications for employment.

160

160.—(1) (a) The appropriate Minister may declare qualifications of such classes and descriptions as he or she thinks fit for a specified employment under a local authority or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade.

(b) Before declaring under this section qualifications for any employment under a local authority to which the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Acts, 1926 to 1983, apply, the appropriate Minister shall consult with the F233[Commission for Public Service Appointments].

(c) A person is not to be appointed to any employment under a local authority for which qualifications are for the time being declared under this section unless he or she possesses those qualifications.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the fact that a person F233[has been recommended for appointment by the Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service] to any employment shall be conclusive evidence, in the absence of fraud, that he or she possessed at the time of such recommendation the qualifications for the time being declared under this section for such employment.

(e) Where the appropriate Minister declares under this section qualifications for a specified employment, additional qualifications for that employment are not to be fixed by a local authority without the consent of the appropriate Minister.

(2) (a) The Minister may, by order (in this section referred to as a “transfer order”), provide that declarations of qualification which would otherwise properly be made by him or her under this section for employments specified in the transfer order shall be made by the Board.

(b) Whenever a transfer order is in operation, the Board has the power to amend any qualifications previously declared by the Minister in relation to any employment to which the order relates.

(c) A transfer order shall not prejudice the right of the Minister to make or amend any qualifications declared under this section.

(d) Where the Board declares qualifications by virtue of a transfer order, such declaration has effect as if it had been made by the Minister.

(e) The revocation of a transfer order by the Minister does not affect any existing qualifications declared by the Board unless otherwise expressly provided for in the order.

(3) (a) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a local authority may, from time to time, fix qualifications for any employment provided a declaration under subsection (1) in relation to such employment is not in force.

(b) Whenever qualifications are declared under this section by the appropriate Minister, or by the Board by virtue of a transfer order, in relation to a particular employment, any qualifications previously fixed by a local authority in relation to such employment shall cease to have effect.

(4) (a) Any qualifications declared by the Board under this section may be amended or revoked by the Minister or the Board.

(b) A local authority may amend the qualifications for any employment fixed by it under subsection (3).

(5) A declaration made under section 21 of the Local Government Act, 1941, before the commencement of this provision shall, on and from such commencement, be deemed to have been made under this section.

Annotations

Amendments:

F233

Substituted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch. 2 part 1, commenced on enactment.

Section 161

Restrictions on local authority employment and membership of a local authority.

161

161.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), a member of a local authority is not to be employed by a local authority.

(b) The Minister may by order—

(i) designate such class, description or grade of employments to which paragraph (a) does not apply,

(ii) specify such conditions under which paragraph (a) does not apply.

(2) This section comes into operation and has effect on and from the ordinary day of retirement of members next after the enactment of this F234[Act, subject to the proviso that an order under subsection (1)(b) may be made before or after that day].

(3) F234[Where, after the said ordinary day of retirement,] an order under this section is proposed to be made, a draft of it shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.

(4) F235[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F234

Substituted (19.05.2004) by Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (15/2004), s. 34(a) and (b), S.I. No. 215 of 2004.

F235

Deleted (19.05.2004) by Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (15/2004), s. 34(c), S.I. No. 215 of 2004.

Editorial Notes:

E294

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.05.2004) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 216 of 2004).

Section 162

Modification of restriction on being employed under certain related bodies.

162

162.—(1) (a) In this section, “section 70(1) as applied” means section 70(1) of the Local Government Act, 1925, as applied by section 26 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, as continued in operation for the purposes of such application by section 21(5) of the Local Government Act, 1955, and as read in accordance with—

(i) section 25(6) of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974, and

(ii) section 12 of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1999.

(b) Without prejudice to section 6, and notwithstanding the repeal of section 70(1) of the Local Government Act, 1925, and section 21(5) of the Local Government Act, 1955, by this Act, section 70(1) as applied continues to have full force and effect.

(2) (a) After consultation with the Minister for the purpose of paragraph (b), the Minister for Education and Science may be order designate a class, description or grade of employments.

(b) For so long as an order under this subsection is in force, section 70(1) as applied shall not apply as regards an employment which is of a class, description or grade designated by the order.

(c) Any order made by the Minister for Education and Science under section 25(2) of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974, and in force immediately before the commencement of this subsection shall be deemed to have been made by that Minister under this subsection.

(d) After consultation with the Minister, an order under this subsection (including an order under this paragraph) may by order be amended or revoked by the Minister for Education and Science.

(3) Where an order under subsection (2) is proposed to be made, a draft of it shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.

Section 163

Amendment of Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926.

163

163.Section 6 of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926, is amended by the substitution of the following for subsection (5):

“(5) Subsection (4) of this section shall have effect subject to the proviso that where the local authority specifies a period (not less than one month) within which the person who is recommended by the Commissioners is to take up duty and notify the person of the period so specified, the local authority shall not appoint that person unless such duty is taken up within that period.”.

Section 164

Amendment of Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977.

164

164.—Section 2(1) of the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, is amended by the substitution of the following for paragraph (i):

“(i) a manager for a local authority for the purposes of section 144 of the Local Government Act, 2001,”.

Section 165

Savers (Chapter 4).

165

165.—(1) The Local Offices (Irish Language) Regulations, 1966 (S.I. No. 221 of 1966), made under sections 13 and 19 of the Local Government Act, 1941, shall remain in force after the commencement of the provisions repealing those sections and, by regulations made by the appropriate Minister by virtue of this subsection, may be amended to the same extent as provided for by those sections or may be revoked.

(2) Every declaration made under section 23 of the Local Government Act, 1941, which is in force in relation to a person on the commencement of the provision repealing that section remains in force in relation to him or her after such commencement and, by declaration made by the appropriate Minister by virtue of this subsection, may be amended to the same extent as provided for by that section or may be revoked.

(3) (a) Notwithstanding the repeal of section 10 (as amended by section 12 of the Local Government Act, 1955) of the Local Government Act, 1941, where an appeal under that section has been made to the appropriate Minister before such repeal, that appeal shall continue to be considered and may be determined under that section.

(b) Notwithstanding the repeal of section 26 (as amended by section 41 of the Local Government Act, 1946) of the Local Government Act, 1941, where a request under that section for the consent of the appropriate Minister has been made before such repeal, that request shall continue to be considered and may be determined under those sections.

(c) In this subsection, “appropriate Minister” has the same meaning that it has in Part II of the Local Government Act, 1941.

PART 15

Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service

Annotations

Modifications etc. (not altering text):

C48

Definition of “return period” construed (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 6.

6. Return Period

(1) Subject to sub-article (2), the return period for the purposes of Part 15 of the Act shall be the period ending on the last day of February of each year.

(2) (a) In a local election year the return period for incoming members to a local authority, who were not members of that local authority immediately prior to the local election in question, shall be the period of 6 weeks from the ordinary day of retirement in that year.

(b)  In the case of a person referred to in section 174(3) of the Act, the return period shall be the period of 6 weeks from the date such person becomes a person to whom section 167(1) of the Act applies.

(c)  In these Regulations “local election year” and “ordinary day of retirement” shall be construed in accordance with the Act.

Section 166

Interpretation (Part 15).

166

166.—(1) In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires—

“actual knowledge” means actual, direct and personal knowledge as distinct from constructive, implied or imputed knowledge and includes, in relation to a fact, belief in its existence the grounds for which are such that a reasonable person who is aware of them could not doubt or disbelieve that the fact exists;

“appropriate period” means—

(a) in the case of a first declaration of a person to whom section 167(1) applies, the period which ended 12 months up to and including the date of his or her first declaration, and

(b) in the case of subsequent declarations, the period between the date of his or her last previous declaration and the date of the next subsequent declaration;

“Commission” means the Public Offices Commission established by section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, or any body established in place of such Commission;

“connected person” means a brother, sister, parent or F236[spouse or civil partner within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 of the person] or a child of the person or of the spouse;

“declarable interest” has the meaning set out in section 175;

“employee”, in relation to a local authority, means an employee to whom this Part applies and, subject to subsection (2), includes a F237[chief executive] for a local authority unless otherwise specified;

“ethics registrar” has the meaning given by section 173(1);

“gift” includes a gift of money or other property;

“property” means real or personal property;

“relevant code of conduct” means the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members or the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees, which are referred to in section 169;

“return period” means a period not exceeding 28 days from the commencement date specified in the relevant notice issued by the ethics registrar under section 174 or such other period as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 171(4);

“spouse”, in relation to a person, includes a person with whom the first-mentioned person is cohabiting.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a F237[chief executive] shall be deemed to be an employee of every local authority for which he or she is F237[chief executive],

(b) an employee of a local authority who, by virtue of an arrangement or agreement entered into under this Act or any other enactment, is performing duties under or in respect of another local authority, shall be deemed to be also an employee of the other authority.

(3) Where any body which is a company within the meaning of section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963, is deemed under that section to be a subsidiary of another or to be another such company’s holding company, a person who is a member of the first-mentioned such company shall, for the purposes of section 171 and sections 175 to 179 be deemed also to be a member of the other company.

Annotations

Amendments:

F236

Substituted (1.01.2011) by Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (24/2010), s. 97 and sch. part 1, item 28, S.I. No. 648 of 2010.

F237

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 136, 137, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications etc. (not altering text):

C49

Definition of “Commission” amended (10.12.2001) by Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (22/1995), s. 21, as substituted (10.12.2001) by Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (31/2001), s. 2, S.I. No. 576 of 2001 and resolutions of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Establishment, membership and functions of Commission.

21.[(1) There is hereby established, in place of the Public Offices Commission, a commission (which shall be known as the Standards in Public Office Commission and is referred to in this Act as "the Commission").]

Editorial Notes:

E295

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002) regs. 4 and 5; revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004) reg. 3.

Section 167

Application (Part 15).

167

167.—(1) This Part applies to—

(a) a member of a local authority,

(b) an employee of a local authority who is of a class, description or grade prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for the purposes of this Part, and

(c) any other employee or other person who is the holder of a position designated by an order made by the F238[chief executive] for a local authority for the purposes of this Part.

F239[(1A) In addition to those employees to whom this Part applies by virtue of subsection (1), sections 168, 169 and 170 also apply to every other employee of a local authority and those sections shall be read accordingly.]

(2) This Part, other than sections 171, 175 and 178 also applies, where relevant, to any person to whom subsection (1) does not apply and—

(a) who is a member of a committee of a local authority, or

(b) whose services are being availed of by the local authority,

and a code of conduct under section 169 may contain provisions in relation to such persons.

(3) Where a person to whom this Part applies has an interest in land or an interest relating to land or any business of dealing in or developing land by reason only of the beneficial ownership of shares in a company or other body by him or her or by his or her nominee or by a connected person or a nominee of a connected person and the total nominal value of those shares does not exceed the lesser of—

(a) £10,000, or

(b) one-hundredth part of the total nominal value of either the issued share capital of the company or body or, where that capital is issued in shares of more than one class, the issued share capital of the class or classes of shares in which he or she has an interest,

the requirements of section 171 and sections 175 to 179 shall not have effect in relation to that interest or interests.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the Minister may prescribe by regulations some or all of the provisions of sections 171 and 175, as provisions which apply to a person to whom subsection (2) applies, subject to such modifications or adaptations as are necessary.

(5) (a) Part VII of the Act of 2000 shall cease to apply to—

(i) a member of a planning authority,

(ii) a member of a committee of a planning authority, and

(iii) an officer of a planning authority.

(b) A declaration given in accordance with section 147 of the Act of 2000 by—

(i) a member of a planning authority, or

(ii) an officer of a planning authority,

shall continue to apply and have effect until replaced by a declaration furnished to the ethics registrar under section 171 of this Act.

Annotations

Amendments:

F238

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 138, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F239

Inserted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E296

£10,000 converted (1.01.1999) to €12,697.38.

E297

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E298

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004); revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E299

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (28.02.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

E300

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

Section 168

Standards of integrity.

168

168.—In carrying out their functions under this or any other enactment, it is the duty of every member and every employee of a local authority and of every member of every committee to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.

Section 169

Codes of conduct for Local Government Service.

169

169.—(1) (a) After consultation with the Commission and the Minister for Finance, the Minister, may issue codes of conduct for the guidance of members of local authorities and of employees of local authorities.

(b) A code of conduct shall deal with the conduct and standards of integrity of members and employees in performing their functions or in relation to any other matter connected with this Part.

(c) In addition to the matters provided for by paragraph (b), a code of conduct shall also deal with matters which, in the opinion of the Minister, will help to uphold public confidence in the integrity of the discharge of local authority functions.

(d) Codes to which this section relate shall be known as the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members and the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees or by such other name as the Minister may decide from time to time.

(2) The Minister may at any time review a code of conduct and may amend the code of conduct or withdraw it and issue a new code of conduct.

(3) (a) Each member shall have regard to and be guided by the relevant code of conduct in the exercise of his or her functions.

(b) Each employee shall, in so far as the code of conduct applies to that employee, have regard to and be guided by the code of conduct in the exercise of his or her functions.

(c) There shall be deemed to be included in the terms and conditions of employment of an employee an undertaking by him or her to have regard to and be guided by the code of conduct in the exercise of his or her functions.

(4) (a) (i) As soon as practicable after the election or co-option of a person as a member of a local authority, the ethics registrar shall supply to each such member a copy of the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members.

(ii) The notice issued by the ethics registrar under section 174 shall draw the member’s attention to the code of conduct and to subsection (3)(a).

(b) (i) The ethics registrar shall supply to each employee, as soon as practicable, a copy of the National Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees.

(ii) The notice issued by the ethics registrar under section 174 shall draw the employee’s attention to the code of conduct and to subsection (3)(b) and (c).

(5) (a) A court may have regard to a code of conduct issued under this section in any proceedings for an offence under this Part.

(b) The Commission may have regard to a code of conduct issued under this section in the carrying out of its functions in relation to a local authority.

(6) A code of conduct adopted by a planning authority under section 150 of the Act of 2000 shall continue to apply and have effect until replaced by a code of conduct issued under this section.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C50

Functions transferred and references to “Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform” in subs. (1)(a) construed (1.03.2023) by Standards in Public Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 89 of 2023), arts. 2, 3 and sch. in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of Finance.

(2) References to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform contained in any Act or instrument made under an Act and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Finance.

3. (1) The functions vested in the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform by or under the provisions of an Act specified in column (1) of the Schedule are transferred to the Minister for Finance to the extent specified in column (2) of the Schedule opposite the mention of the Act so specified.

(2) References to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform contained in any Act or instrument made under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by paragraph (1) shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Finance.

...

SCHEDULE

Short Title of Act and Number

Provision

(1)

(2)

...

...

Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37 of 2001)

Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 169.

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19 of 2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

Editorial Notes:

E301

Previous affecting provision: functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (1)(a) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2); superseded as per C -note above.

Section 170

Prohibition of favours, rewards, etc.

170

170.—(1) An employee or a member of a local authority or of a committee of a local authority shall not seek, exact or accept from any person, other than from the local authority concerned, any remuneration, fee, reward or other favour for anything done or not done by virtue of his or her employment or office, and a code of conduct under section 169 may include guidance for the purposes of this subsection.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not be read so as to exclude the persons to whom that subsection relates from the application of the Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 to 1995, and any Act which is to be construed together as one with those Acts.

Section 171

Annual declaration.

171

171.—(1) It is the duty of a person to whom section 167(1) applies to prepare and furnish to the ethics registrar in accordance with subsection (2) or (3), as the case may be, an annual written declaration (in this Part referred to as an “annual declaration” or “declaration”, as the case may be), in the form prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, signed and dated by him or her and containing—

(a) particulars of his or her declarable interests (within the meaning of section 175), and

(b) an undertaking by him or her to have regard to and be guided by the relevant code of conduct in the exercise of his or her functions.

(2) Each member of a local authority shall prepare and furnish to the ethics registrar within the return period each year, an annual declaration and a statement that none of the grounds for disqualification referred to in section 13 or 182, or under section 20 of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999, apply.

(3) Each employee of a local authority shall prepare and furnish to the ethics registrar within the return period each year an annual declaration.

(4) The Minister may notwithstanding the definition of return period in section 166 prescribe by regulations a different commencement date or a different return period to the commencement dates or periods referred to in the definition of return period as the commencement date or period from or within which a declaration shall be furnished.

(5) It shall not be necessary to specify in an annual declaration under this section the amount or monetary value of any declarable interest within the meaning of section 175.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E302

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E303

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004); revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E304

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (28.02.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

E305

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002); revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

Section 172

Public register of interests.

172

172.—(1) The ethics registrar shall for the purposes of this Part, keep on behalf of the local authority concerned a public register which comprises of 2 parts, one containing members’ interests and the other the interests of employees and persons referred to in section 167(2) (which register of interests is in this section referred to as the “register of interests”).

(2) There shall be entered in the register of interests the particulars contained in declarations under section 171 or disclosures under sections 177 to 179 furnished to the ethics registrar.

(3) (a) The register of interests shall be kept at the offices of the local authority concerned, and shall be available for public inspection during normal office hours and any person may apply for a copy of the register or any entry in the register.

(b) A copy of the register of interests, or any entry in the register may be obtained by any person on the payment to the local authority concerned of such fee (if any) as the local authority shall fix not exceeding the reasonable cost of making the copy.

(4) Where a person ceases to be a person to whom section 167 applies, any particulars entered in the register of interests as a result of a declaration or disclosure being furnished to the relevant ethics registrar under this Part shall be removed from that register by the relevant ethics registrar as soon as may be after the expiration of the period of 15 years beginning on the day on which the person ceases to be such a person.

Annotations

Modifications etc. (not altering text):

C51

Application of section restricted (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 9, in effect as per reg. 2.

9. Register of interests

In respect of a relevant employee, the particulars to be included in the register of interests kept by a local authority pursuant to section 172 of the Act shall not include the address of that employee’s home as entered on the prescribed form by him or her pursuant to the requirements of section 171 of the Act.

Editorial Notes:

E306

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 9; revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E307

Previous affecting provision: (28.02.2003) Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003), reg. 4, revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004).

Section 173

Ethics registrar.

173

173.—(1) In this Part “ethics registrar” means a person or persons assigned by order of the manager for a local authority to perform the duties of an ethics registrar in accordance with this Part in respect of such authority or authorities as are specified in the order.

(2) No person shall perform the functions of an ethics registrar for a continuous period exceeding 2 years.

Section 174

Duty of ethics registrar, etc.

174

174.—(1)(a) It is the duty of the ethics registrar to issue to each member of the local authority concerned before every annual meeting of the authority, or such other time as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, a signed and dated notice in writing informing the member of the requirement imposed on him or her under section 171 to prepare and furnish an annual declaration and such notice shall enclose the form so prescribed for that purpose.

(b) The fact of the issue of a notice under paragraph (a) shall be brought to the attention of the members of the local authority at the next meeting of the authority after such issue.

(2) In respect of and to each employee referred to in section 167(1) it is the duty of the ethics registrar to issue every year in the month of January, or such other time as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, a signed and dated notice in writing informing the employee of the requirement imposed on him or her under section 171 to prepare and furnish an annual declaration and such notice shall enclose the form so prescribed for that purpose.

(3) It is the duty of the ethics registrar to issue, as soon as practicable, to a person who becomes a person to whom section 167(1) applies subsequent to the issue of a notice under subsection (1) or (2) a signed and dated notice in writing informing such member or employee, as the case may be, of the requirement imposed on him or her under section 171 to prepare and furnish an annual declaration in the form prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and such notice shall enclose the form prescribed for that purpose.

(4) Nothing in this section, including the non-receipt, for any reason, of a notice or form affects the requirement imposed on a person under section 171 to complete and furnish an annual declaration.

(5) Where the ethics registrar finds a minor error or omission in a declaration, he or she shall furnish to the person concerned particulars in writing of the error or omission, as the case may be, and the ethics registrar shall inform such person that he or she may correct the error or make good the omission within the period of 21 days from the date on which the notification issued to such person.

(6) Notwithstanding section 169(4) the ethics registrar may at any time where he or she considers it necessary issue a notice or otherwise bring to the attention of any person referred to in section 167 the appropriate requirements of this Part, including of a relevant code of conduct issued under section 169.

(7) Where the ethics registrar, or the F240[chief executive] in relation to paragraph (c), becomes aware of a possible contravention of this Part it is his or her duty to bring the matter to the attention of—

(a) the F240[chief executive] for the local authority, in case the matter relates to any other employee,

(b) the Cathaoirleach of the local authority, in case the matter relates to the F240[chief executive],

(c) the Cathaoirleach of the local authority, in case the matter relates to the ethics registrar,

(d) the F240[chief executive] for the local authority, in case the matter relates to the Cathaoirleach,

(e) the Cathaoirleach and the F240[chief executive] for the local authority in case the matter relates to a member of the local authority other than the Cathaoirleach, and

(f) in any other case, the F240[chief executive] for the local authority.

(8) (a) The person or persons to whom the matter is brought to attention under subsection (7) shall consider what action should be taken and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the action may include—

(i) any investigative or disciplinary procedures which may be exercised in relation to the person concerned, whether under any other provision of this or any other enactment or otherwise,

(ii) referral of the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with subsection (1)(b) or (4)(b) of section 181 as the case may be,

(iii) any other course of action considered appropriate in the circumstances.

(b) The person or persons to whom the matter is brought to attention under subsection (7) shall—

(i) cause a report to be prepared of his or her or their joint consideration of the matter, as the case may be, and

(ii) cause such report to be sent to and be retained by the ethics registrar unless subsection (7)(c) applies, in which case such report shall be retained by the F240[chief executive] but only until the person concerned ceases to be the ethics registrar.

Annotations

Amendments:

F240

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 139, 140, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E308

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E309

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004); revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E310

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002), regs. 5, 6 and 8; revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

Section 175

Declarable interests.

175

175.— Each of the following interests is a declarable interest for the purposes of this Part:

(a) any profession, business or occupation in which the person concerned is engaged or employed, whether on his or her own behalf or otherwise, and which relates to dealing in or developing land during the appropriate period;

(b) any other remunerated trade, profession, employment, vocation, or other occupation of the person concerned held by that person during the appropriate period;

(c) any estate or interest the person concerned has (subject to section 167(3)) in land including the case where the person concerned, or any nominee of his or her, is a member of a company or other body which has an estate or interest in land and without prejudice to the foregoing an interest in land shall be deemed to include—

(i) the interest of the person in any contract entered into by him or her for the purchase or sale of land, whether or not a deposit or part payment has been made under the contract, and

(ii) the interest of the person in—

(I) any option held by him or her to purchase or sell land, whether or not any consideration has been paid for it, or

(II) land in respect of which such an option has been exercised by the person but which has not yet been conveyed to the person;

(d) any business of dealing in or developing land carried on during the appropriate period by a company or other body of which the person concerned, or any nominee of the person, is a member;

(e) a holding by the person concerned of shares in, or bonds or debentures of, or other like investments in, a particular company or other enterprise or undertaking (which does not relate to land or any business of dealing in or developing land) if the aggregate value of the holding exceeded £10,000 at any time during the appropriate period but holding does not include money in a current, deposit or other similar account with a financial institution;

(f) a directorship or shadow directorship of any company held by the person concerned at any time during the appropriate period, and in this paragraph “shadow directorship” means the position held by a person who is a shadow director for the purposes of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999;

(g) a gift, including foreign travel facilities, given to the person concerned during the appropriate period, but excluding—

(i) a gift given to the person by a F241[relative or friend of the person or of his or her spouse or civil partner within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 or of a child of the person or his or her spouse for purely personal reasons only],

(ii) a gift given to the person, or gifts given to the person by the same person, during the appropriate period, as respects which the value, or the aggregate value, of the property the subject of the gift or gifts did not exceed £500 at any time during the appropriate period;

(h) property supplied or lent or a service supplied to the person concerned, once or more than once by the same person during the appropriate period, for a consideration or considerations or at a price or prices less than the commercial consideration or considerations or the commercial price or prices by more than £500 or which in the aggregate exceeded £500, other than property supplied or lent or a service supplied to the person concerned by a relative or friend of the person or of his or her spouse where such supply or loan was in the nature of a gift to the person and for personal reasons only;

(i) property supplied or lent or a service supplied to the person concerned, once or more than once by the same person during the appropriate period, free of charge if the commercial consideration or considerations or the commercial price or prices was or were more than £500, or which in the aggregate exceeded £500, other than property supplied or lent or a service supplied to the person concerned by a relative or friend of the person or of his or her spouse where such supply or loan was in the nature of a gift to the person and for personal reasons only;

(j) any contract to which the person concerned was a party or was in any other way, directly or indirectly, interested for the supply of goods or services to a local authority during the appropriate period if the value of the goods or services supplied during that period exceeded £5,000 or, in case other goods or services were supplied under such a contract to a local authority during that period, if the aggregate of their value exceeded £5,000;

(k) a remunerated position held by the person concerned as a political or public affairs lobbyist, consultant or adviser during the appropriate period;

(l) any other additional interest which may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

(m) any other additional interest which is not specified in paragraphs (a) to (k) or in regulations made by the Minister under paragraph (l) which the person concerned wishes to volunteer.

Annotations

Amendments:

F241

Substituted (1.01.2011) by Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (24/2010), s. 97 and sch. part 1, item 29, S.I. No. 648 of 2010.

Editorial Notes:

E311

£10,000 converted (1.01.1999) to €12,697.38. £500 converted to €634.87. £5,000 converted to €6,348.69.

Section 176

Beneficial interests.

176

176.—(1) In respect of a resolution, motion, question or other matter which is proposed, or otherwise arises from or as regards F242[the performance by the local authority concerned, or any municipal district members for that authority, of any functions] under this or any other enactment, “beneficial interest” for the purposes of this Part, in relation to a person, includes an interest in respect of which—

(a) he or she or a connected person, or any nominee of his or her or of a connected person, is a member of a company or any other body which has a beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any such matter,

(b) he or she or a connected person is in a partnership with or is in the employment of a person who has a beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any such matter,

(c) he or she or a connected person is a party to any arrangement or agreement (whether or not enforceable) concerning land which relates to any such matter,

(d) he or she or a connected person in the capacity as a trustee or as a beneficiary of a trust has a beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any such matter,

(e) he or she or a connected person is acting with another person to secure or exercise control of a company which has a beneficial interest in, or which is material to any such matter.

(2) A person shall also be deemed to have a beneficial interest which has to be disclosed under this Part if he or she has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person has a declarable interest (within the meaning of section 175) in, or which is material to, a resolution, motion, question or other matter which is proposed, or otherwise arises from or as regards F242[the performance by the local authority, or by municipal district members, of any functions] under this or any other enactment.

(3) A person shall not be regarded as having a beneficial interest which has to be disclosed under this Part where section 167(3) is applicable or because of—

(a) an interest which is so remote or insignificant that it cannot be reasonably regarded as likely to influence a person in considering or discussing, or in voting on, any question with respect to the matter or in performing any function in relation to that matter,

(b) being a ratepayer or a local authority tenant and in common with other ratepayers or tenants, or

(c) any other circumstances which may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

Annotations

Amendments:

F242

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 141, 142, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E312

Power pursuant to section exercised (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), in effect as per reg. 2.

E313

Previous affecting provision: power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004); revoked (30.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015), reg. 3, in effect as per reg. 2.

E314

Previous affecting provision: (1.01.2003) Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002), reg. 7; revoked (1.01.2005) by Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004), reg. 3.

Section 177

Disclosure by member of local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

177

177.—(1) Where at a meeting of a local authority or of any committee, joint committee or joint body of a local authority, a resolution, motion, question or other matter is proposed or otherwise arises either—

(a) as a result of any of its functions under this or any other enactment, or

(b) as regards the performance by the authority, committee, joint committee or joint body of any of its functions under this or any other enactment,

then, a member of the authority, committee, joint committee or joint body present at such meeting shall, where he or she has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person has a pecuniary or other beneficial interest in, or which is material to, the matter—

(i) disclose the nature of his or her interest, or the fact of a connected person’s interest at the meeting, and before discussion or consideration of the matter commences, and

(ii) withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter is being discussed or considered,

and, accordingly, he or she shall take no part in the discussion or consideration of the matter and shall refrain from voting in relation to it.

(2) Where a member of a local authority, committee, joint committee or joint body of the local authority has actual knowledge that a matter is likely to arise at a meeting at which that member will not be present and which, if he or she were present, a disclosure would be required to be made under subsection (1), then that person shall in advance of such meeting make such disclosure in writing and furnish it to the ethics registrar.

(3) There shall be recorded in the minutes of any meeting referred to in subsection (1) or (2) a reference to any disclosure made for the purposes of either of those subsections and of any subsequent withdrawal from the meeting and such disclosure shall be recorded in the register of interests.

(4) A member of a local authority or of any committee, joint committee or joint body of a local authority shall neither influence nor seek to influence a decision of the authority in respect of any matter which he or she has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person has a pecuniary or other beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any matter which is proposed, or otherwise arises from or as regards the performance by the authority of any of its functions under this or any other enactment.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C52

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 13, in effect as per reg. 3.

Provisions of Part 15 (ethical framework) of the Act.

13. The provisions of section 177 of the Act shall apply in respect of the disclosure by municipal district members of pecuniary or other beneficial interests at a meeting of municipal district members with the following modifications as if:—

(a) in subsection (1), the reference to “a meeting of a local authority, or of any committee, joint committee or joint body of a local authority” were a reference to “a meeting of municipal district members or of any committee of municipal district members”,

(b) in subsection (1)(b):—

(i) the reference to “the performance by the authority, committee, joint committee or joint body of any of its functions” were a reference to “the performance by the municipal district members of any of their functions or the performance by the committee of its functions”, and

(ii) the reference to “a member of the authority, committee, joint committee or joint body present” were a reference to “a municipal district member or a member of a committee present”,

(c) in subsection (2), the reference to “a member of a local authority, committee, joint committee or joint body of the local authority” were a reference to “a municipal district member or a member of a committee of the municipal district members”, and

(d) in subsection (4):—

(i) the reference to “a member of a local authority or of any committee, joint committee or joint body of a local authority” were a reference to “a municipal district member or a member of any committee of municipal district members”,

(ii) the reference to “influence a decision of the authority” were a reference to “influence a decision of the municipal district members”, and

(iii) the reference to “performance by the authority of any of its functions” were a reference to “performance by the municipal district members of any of their functions”.

Section 178

Disclosure by manager for local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

178

178.—(1) This section applies where the manager for a local authority has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person has a pecuniary or other beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any matter which is proposed or otherwise arises from or as regards the performance by the authority of any of its functions under this or any other enactment.

(2) The manager to whom subsection (1) relates shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) he or she shall neither influence nor seek to influence a decision of the local authority as regards the matter;

(b) he or she shall, as soon as may be, disclose in writing to the Cathaoirleach of the local authority the nature of his or her interest or the fact of a connected person’s interest, and the Cathaoirleach shall furnish such written disclosure to the ethics registrar without delay.

(3) A disclosure furnished under subsection (2) shall be recorded by the ethics registrar in the register of interests.

(4) Where a function would normally be dealt with by the manager, the function shall be delegated by him or her in accordance with section 154, after disclosure under subsection (2), to an employee.

(5) The manager shall inform the Cathaoirleach of any delegation under subsection (4).

Section 179

Disclosure by employee, etc. of local authority of pecuniary or other beneficial interests.

179

179.—(1) This section applies where—

(a) an employee of a local authority other than the F243[chief executive], or

(b) any other person whose services are being availed of by the local authority,

has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person, has a pecuniary or other beneficial interest in, or which is material to, any matter, which is proposed or otherwise arises from or as regards the performance by the authority of any of its functions under this or any other enactment.

(2) The employee or other person to whom subsection (1) relates shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) he or she shall neither influence nor seek to influence a decision of the local authority as regards the matter;

(b) where he or she as an employee is concerned with the matter in the course of his or her duties, he or she shall disclose in writing to the F243[chief executive] of the local authority the nature of his or her interest or the fact of a connected person’s interest and comply with any directions (including the reassignment of the matter in question to another employee) the F243[chief executive] may give him or her in relation to the matter;

(c) where he or she as a person whose services are being availed of by the local authority is concerned with the matter in the course of his or her duties, he or she shall disclose in writing to the F243[chief executive] the nature of his or her interest or the fact of a connected person’s interest and comply with any directions, the F243[chief executive] may give him or her in relation to the matter.

(3) A disclosure to which subsection (2)(b) or (2)(c) relates shall be forwarded by the F243[chief executive] to the ethics registrar and recorded by him or her in the register of interests.

Annotations

Amendments:

F243

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 143-146, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 180

Application of Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, etc.

180

180.—(1) In this section “the Acts” means the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, and any other Act which is to be construed together as one with that Act.

(2) The Acts shall apply in relation to a local authority subject to the provisions of this section and with such other modifications as may be necessary and for that purpose—

(a) the powers of investigation and report conferred on the Commission apply in relation to a person to whom subsection (1) or (2) of section 167 relates,

(b) subsection (3) shall apply as regards a report prepared by the Commission,

(c) subsection (4) shall apply as regards the consideration of such report by a local authority.

(3)(a) Where a report prepared by the Commission relates to—

F244[(i) a chief executive, it shall be furnished to the Cathaoirleach of the local authority concerned,]

(ii) the Cathaoirleach of a local authority, it shall be furnished to the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the authority and to its F244[chief executive],

(iii) any other member of a local authority, it shall be furnished to the Cathaoirleach of the authority and to its F244[chief executive],

(iv) any employee of a local authority other than the F244[chief executive], it shall be furnished to the F244[chief executive] of the local authority concerned, and

(v) any other person to whom subsection (1) or (2) of section 167 relates, it shall be furnished to the F244[chief executive] of the local authority concerned.

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be read so as to prevent the furnishing of a report referred to in paragraph (a) to any other person in accordance with the Acts.

(4)(a) Where a report referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of subsection (3)(a) is furnished to a local authority, it shall be considered by the elected council. The elected council shall decide on such action to be taken as may be considered appropriate in all the circumstances including, in the case of subparagraph (i) of subsection (3)(a), the exercise of powers of suspension or removal pursuant to section 146.

(b) Where a report referred to in subparagraph (iv) or (v) of subsection (3)(a) is furnished to a local authority it shall be considered by its F244[chief executive]. The F244[chief executive] shall decide on such action to be taken as may be considered appropriate in all the circumstances including, in the case of an employee, suspension with or without pay or termination of employment.

(c) The F244[chief executive] shall inform the elected council of the result of a consideration under paragraph (b).

(5) Nothing in this section shall be read as prejudicing the Commission in carrying out the functions conferred on it by the Acts.

Annotations

Amendments:

F244

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 147-153, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 181

Offences (Part 15).

181

181.—(1) (a) Subject to subsection (3), a person is guilty of an offence where he or she fails to comply with the requirements of section 171 or who, when claiming to comply with those requirements, gives particulars which are false or which to his or her knowledge are misleading in a material respect.

(b) Proceedings for an offence under this subsection shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(3) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it is a good defence for the defendant to prove that at the relevant time he or she believed in good faith, and upon reasonable grounds, that—

(a) the relevant particulars were true,

(b) there was no matter as regards which he or she was then required to make a declaration under section 171, or

(c) the matter in relation to which the offence is alleged was not one as regards which he or she was so required to make such declaration.

(4) (a) Subject to subsection (6), a person is guilty of an offence where he or she fails to comply with any of the requirements of section 177, 178 or 179 or who, when claiming to comply with those requirements, gives particulars which are false or which to his or her knowledge are misleading in a material respect.

(b) Proceedings for an offence under this subsection shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(6) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (4) it is a good defence for the defendant to prove that at the time of the alleged offence he or she did not have actual knowledge and had no reason to believe that a matter in which, or in relation to which, he or she or a connected person had a beneficial interest had arisen or had come before the local authority concerned, or was being considered by it or by a committee or joint body of the local authority, as may be appropriate, or that the beneficial interest to which the alleged offence relates was one in relation to which a requirement of section 177, 178 or 179 applied.

(7) Summary proceedings for an offence under this Part may be brought by the local authority concerned, subject to subsection (1)(b) or (4)(b).

(8) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Part may be commenced—

(a) at any time within 12 months from the date on which the offence was committed,

(b) at any time within 6 months from the date on which evidence sufficient, in the opinion of the local authority by whom the proceedings are initiated, to justify the proceedings, comes to such authority’s knowledge,

whichever is the later, but no such proceedings shall be initiated later than 5 years from the date on which the offence concerned was committed.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E315

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not exceeding €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010

E316

A fine of £10,000 converted (1.01.1999) to €12,697.38.

Section 182

Consequences of failure to comply with sections 171, 177, 178 and 179.

182

182.—(1) (a) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 181 (which relates to section 171, 177, 178 or 179) that person is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to or from being a member of a local authority.

(b) A disqualification arising under paragraph (a) commences—

(i) where no appeal is taken against the conviction, when the time limit for taking an appeal has passed, or

(ii) where an appeal is taken against the conviction and the appeal is disallowed, from the determination of the appeal,

and the disqualification shall be for 5 years from the date of conviction or determination of the appeal, as the case may be.

(2) Where a person contravenes or fails to comply with a requirement of section 171, 177, 178 or 179 or acts as a member of a local authority, committee, joint committee or joint body of a local authority while disqualified for membership by virtue of this section, the fact of such contravention or failure or of his or her so acting, as the case may be, does not invalidate any act or proceeding of the authority, committee, joint committee or joint body concerned.

PART 16

Land

Section 183

Land disposals, notification of members.

183

183.—(1) The following provisions have effect in relation to any proposed disposal (not being by demise for a term not exceeding one year) of land which is held by a local authority:

(a) notices shall be sent or delivered to the members of the local authority giving particulars of—

(i) the land,

(ii) the name of the person from whom such land was acquired, if this can be ascertained by reasonable inquiries,

(iii) the person to whom the land is to be disposed of,

(iv) the consideration proposed in respect of the disposal,

(v) any covenants, conditions or agreements to have effect in connection with the disposal;

(b) at the first meeting of the local authority held after the expiration of 10 days after the day on which such notices are sent or delivered, the local authority may resolve that the disposal shall not be carried out or that it shall be carried out in accordance with terms specified in the resolution;

(c) if the local authority resolves by virtue of paragraph (b) that the disposal shall not be carried out, it shall not be carried out;

(d) if the local authority does not pass a resolution pursuant to paragraph (b), the disposal may be carried out;

(e) if the local authority resolves by virtue of paragraph (b) that the disposal shall be carried out in accordance with terms specified in the resolution, the disposal may be carried out in accordance with those terms;

(f) the disposal shall not be carried out otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (d) or (e) and subject to the consent of the Minister where consent is required under section 211(2) of the Act of 2000.

(2) Section 90 (inserted by section 26 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992) of the Housing Act, 1966, is amended by the substitution of the following for subsection (4):

“(4) (a) Subject to any regulations made under this section, section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, shall apply in relation to the sale of a dwelling under subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a), or paragraph (b), of subsection (1) of this section but shall not otherwise apply to the sale of a dwelling under this section.

(b) This subsection is without prejudice to the application of section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, to the disposal of land by a housing authority under section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, and for the purposes of this paragraph ‘land’ does not include a dwelling.”.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C53

Prospective affecting provision: application of section restricted by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009), s. 27, not commenced as of date of revision.

Non-application of certain provisions to disposals for purposes of this Chapter.

27.— Section 211(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the disposal, for any of the purposes of this Chapter, of land or a dwelling by a housing authority.

...

C54

Application of section restricted (31.03.2022) by Land Development Agency Act 2021 (26/2021), s. 58, S.I. No. 143 of 2022, art. 2(h).

Provision relating to local authority land under this Part

58. Section 211(2) of the Act of 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the disposal by a local authority to the Agency under this Part of relevant public land owned by the local authority which land—

(a) is situated—

(i) in the local authority area in respect of which a development plan is in force, or

(ii) in the functional area, within the meaning of the Act of 2000, of, or any particular area within the functional area of, a planning authority in respect of which a local area plan is in force, and

(b) is zoned for solely residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses in, as the case may be, the development plan or local area plan.

C55

Application of section restricted (3.09.2021) by Affordable Housing Act 2021 (25/2021), s. 22(2), S.I. No. 450 of 2021.

Relationship with other enactments

22. ...

(2) Section 211(2) of the Act of 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the sale of a dwelling to an eligible applicant under an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement.

...

C56

Application of section restricted (18.06.2018) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009), s. 83(5), S.I. No. 206 of 2018.

Affordable dwelling purchase arrangements.

83.— ...

(5) Section 211(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the sale of a dwelling to an eligible household under an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement.

C57

Application of section restricted (1.01.2016) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (21/2014), s. 25(4), S.I. No. 482 of 2015.

Sale of house to tenant

25.— ...

(4) Section 211(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the sale of a house under this Part.

C58

Application of section restricted (25.12.2015) by Harbours Act 2015 (61/2015), s. 16(1)(b), commenced on enactment.

Provisions with respect to sale, leasing and acquisition of land by transferred company

16. (1) ...

(b) Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 does not apply to any decision by the directors of a transferred company made under paragraph (a).

...

C59

Application of section restricted (1.01.2014) by Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013), s. 12(9), S.I. No. 575 of 2013.

Transfer of property of water services authorities

12.— ...

(9) Section 183 of the Act of 2001 shall not apply to the vesting of land under this section.

...

C60

Application of section restricted (1.01.2012) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009), s. 64(10), S.I. No. 680 of 2011.

Sale by housing authority of apartments to tenants.

64.— ...

(10) Section 211(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the sale of an apartment to a tenant in accordance with this Part.

C61

Application of section restricted (1.01.2010) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009), s. 45(5), S.I. No. 540 of 2009.

Sale of dwelling by incremental purchase arrangement.

45.— ...

(5) Section 211(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 shall not apply to the sale of a dwelling to an eligible household under this section.

Editorial Notes:

Section 184

Exercise of certain land functions.

184

184.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality or application of section 210, 211 or 213 of the Act of 2000, the functions conferred on a local authority by section 11(7)(a) shall—

(a) as regards the acquisition of land be construed in accordance with section 213 of the Act of 2000,

(b) as regards the disposal of land be construed in accordance with section 211 of the Act of 2000,

and section 210 of the Act of 2000 shall apply as regards the appropriation of land.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the functions conferred on a local authority by section 213(2)(a) of the Act of 2000 may be performed in relation to any easement, way-leave, water right or other right to which that paragraph applies granted by or held from the local authority acquiring the land and “acquisition of land” shall be construed accordingly for the purposes of that Act.

(3) In this section “local authority” includes a joint body.

PART 17

Establishment of New Town Councils, etc.

Section 185

Establishment of town council.

185

185.F245[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F245

Part 17 (ss. 185-187) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1), 25(4)(d) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 154, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 186

First election to town council.

186

186.F246[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F246

Part 17 (ss. 185-187) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1), 25(4)(d) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 154, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 187

Dissolution of town council.

187

187.F247[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F247

Part 17 (ss. 185-187) deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 5(1), 25(4)(d) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 154, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 18

Placenames

Section 188 188

Interpretation.

188
188

188. In this Part

F249["functional area" means as respects

(a) a city council, the city,

(b) a county council, the county,

(c) a city and county council, the city and county;]

F249["locality" means a part (other than a town, townland or street) of a county, city, city and county, or town in respect of which a name (other than the name of the county, city, city and county, or town concerned) is in common use;]

F250[]

F249["placename" includes the name of a county, city, city and county, town, village, barony, parish, townland, street or locality, district, region or place, as described in a map produced by Ordnance Survey Ireland;]

"qualified elector" means a person who, in relation to a place (including a street) to which a placename applies, is registered as a local government elector in the register of electors for the time being in force;

"street" includes

(a) part of a street, and

(b) a road, square, lane or any other public place or part thereof.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F248

Substituted (7.09.2011) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 446 of 2011.

F249

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 155, 156, 158, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F250

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 157, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 189

F251[Changing of placename.

189

189. (1) A F252[local council] may, in relation to a place situated within its functional area, by resolution passed by not less than half of the members standing elected or coopted for the time being to that F252[local council] adopt a proposal to substitute a new placename (in this section referred to as the "proposed new placename") for the then existing placename in respect of that place.

(2) The boundary of the place to which a proposal adopted under subsection (1) applies shall be described in that proposal whether by reference to a map or otherwise.

(3) A proposal adopted under subsection (1) shall specify the proposed new placename in the Irish language only or in both the Irish language and the English language.

(4) Where a F252[local council] adopts a proposal under subsection (1) it shall

(a) notify such persons, or persons belonging to such class of person, as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister of the adoption of the proposal, and

(b) publish a public notice of the proposal inviting submissions in writing from members of the public in relation thereto not later than 2 months from the date of the publication of the notice.

(5) A person who receives a notification under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) shall be entitled to make submissions in writing to the F252[local council] that gave the notification in relation to the proposal concerned not later than 2 months from the date of the notification.

(6) A F252[local council] shall consider any submissions received by it in accordance with a notification under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) or a notice under paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(7) After considering any submissions referred to in subsection (6), a F252[local council] may, by resolution passed by not less than half of the members standing elected or coopted for the time being to that F252[local council] decide

(a) to hold a ballot of the qualified electors registered in the place to which the proposed new placename applies in respect of the proposed new placename or such alternative to the proposed new placename as it considers appropriate, or

(b) not to proceed with the proposal to change the placename of the place concerned.

(8) A ballot to which subsection (7) applies shall be in secret and shall be conducted in accordance with regulations made by the Minister.

(9)(a) Subject to subsection (3) of section 192, if a majority of the votes cast at a ballot held pursuant to a decision under subsection (7) is in favour of the proposed new placename concerned the Cathaoirleach of the F252[local council] concerned shall make a declaration stating that, from such date (determined in accordance with paragraph (b)) as is specified in the declaration, that proposed new placename shall become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned.

(b) Where the Cathaoirleach of a F252[local council] makes a declaration under this subsection, the placename specified in the declaration shall

(i) if the declaration is made not less than 3 months before the 1st day of January next following the declaration, become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned from the said 1st day of January, or

(ii) in any other case, become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned from the first anniversary of the said 1st day of January.

(c) Every declaration under this subsection shall be published in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and shall be notified in writing to such persons, or persons belonging to such class of person, as may be so prescribed.

(d) Every declaration under this subsection shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil, as soon as may be after its making.

(10) This section shall not apply to the townland, civil parish, non-municipal town or electoral division referred to in section 191.]

F253[(11) In this section "local council", in relation to a local authority, means the local authority or the municipal district members in respect of each municipal district within the area of such local authority.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F251

Substituted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

F252

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(8) and sch. 2 part 6, commenced as per s. 1(23) and S.I. No. 216 of 2014.

F253

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(8) and sch. 2 part 6, commenced as per s. 1(23) and S.I. No. 216 of 2014.

Section 190

F254[ Change of placename of place situated in more than one local authority area.

190

190. (1) (a) A local authority may, in relation to a place that is situated

(i) in its functional area, and

(ii) in the functional area of another local authority or the functional areas of other local authorities,

by resolution passed by not less than half of the members standing elected or coopted for the time being to the first-mentioned local authority, propose to substitute a new placename (in this section referred to as the "proposed new placename") for the then existing placename in respect of that place.

(b) A proposal referred to in paragraph (a) shall stand adopted by the local authority first-mentioned in that paragraph upon the passing, in accordance with paragraph (c), of a resolution by each other local authority within whose functional area part of the place concerned is also situated consenting to the adoption of the proposal.

(c) A resolution referred to in paragraph (b) shall be passed by not less than half of the members standing elected or coopted for the time being to the local authority concerned.

(2) The boundary of the place to which a proposal adopted under subsection (1) applies shall be described in that proposal whether by reference to a map or otherwise.

(3) A proposal adopted under subsection (1) shall specify the proposed new placename in the Irish language only or in both the Irish language and the English language.

(4) Where a proposal stands adopted under subsection (1), each local authority shall, in respect of that part of the place situated in its functional area

(a) notify such persons, or persons belonging to such class of person, as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister of the adoption of the proposal, and

(b) publish a public notice of the proposal inviting submissions in writing from members of the public in relation thereto not later than 2 months from the date of the publication of the notice.

(5) A person who receives a notification under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) shall be entitled to make submissions in writing to the local authority that gave the notification in relation to the proposal concerned not later than 2 months from the date of the notification.

(6) A local authority shall consider any submissions received by it in accordance with a notification under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) or a notice under paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(7) After considering any submissions referred to in subsection (6), each local authority concerned may, by resolution passed by not less than half of the members standing elected or coopted for the time being to that local authority decide

(a) to hold a ballot of the qualified electors registered in the place to which the proposed new placename applies in respect of the proposed new placename or such alternative to the proposed new placename as the local authorities concerned consider appropriate, or

(b) not to proceed with the proposal to change the placename of the place concerned.

(8) A ballot to which subsection (7) applies shall be in secret and shall be conducted in accordance with regulations made by the Minister.

(9) (a) Subject to subsection (3) of section 192, if a majority of the votes cast at a ballot held pursuant to a decision under subsection (7) is in favour of the proposed new placename concerned the Cathaoirligh of the local authorities concerned shall jointly declare that, from such date (determined in accordance with paragraph (b)) as is specified in the declaration, that proposed new placename shall become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned.

(b) Where the Cathaoirligh of the local authorities concerned make a declaration under this subsection, the placename specified in the declaration shall

(i) if the declaration is made not less than 3 months before the 1st day of January next following the declaration, become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned from the said 1st day of January, or

(ii) in any other case, become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned from the first anniversary of the said 1st day of January.

(c) Every declaration under this subsection shall be published in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and shall be notified in writing to such persons, or persons belonging to such class of person, as may be so prescribed.

(d) Every declaration under this subsection shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil, as soon as may be after its making.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F254

Substituted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

Section 191

F255[Daingean Uí Chúis.

191

191. (1) The townland, civil parish, electoral division and non-municipal town that, immediately before the commencement of this section, was known (pursuant to the Order of 2004) as An Daingean shall, from such commencement, be known, in the Irish language, as Daingean Uí Chúis and, in the English language, as Dingle.

(2) The Order of 2004 is amended by the deletion

(a) of the text in columns (1) and (2) of Caibidil 1 of Roinn A of Cuid 4 at reference number 171,

(b) of the text in columns (1) and (2) of Caibidil 2 of Roinn A of Cuid 4 at reference number 4, and

(c) of the text in columns (1) and (2) of Caibidil 4 of Roinn A of Cuid 4 at reference number 11.

(3) In this section "Order of 2004" means the An t-Ordú Logainmneacha (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) 2004 (S.I. No. 872 of 2004).]

Annotations

Amendments:

F255

Substituted (7.09.2011) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 446 of 2011.

Section 192

F256[General provisions relating to change of names.

192

192. (1) The consideration of submissions received under this Part shall be a reserved function.

(2) A local authority shall, in adopting a proposal under section 189 or 190 have regard to local traditions.

(3) (a) If a majority of the votes cast at a ballot held pursuant to a decision under subsection (7) of section 189 or subsection (7) of section 190 in relation to a place in a Gaeltacht area is in favour of the proposed new placename concerned, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs shall make an order declaring that, from such date (determined in accordance with paragraph (b)) as is specified in the order, that proposed new placename shall become and be the placename in respect of the place concerned.

(b) Where the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs makes an order under this subsection, the placename to which the declaration in the order relates shall

(i) if the order is made not less than 3 months before the 1st day of January next following the order, become and be the placename of the place concerned from the said 1st day of January, or

(ii) in any other case, become and be the placename of the place concerned from the first anniversary of the said 1st day of January.

(c) Every order under this subsection shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(4) Where the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs makes an order under subsection (3), any provision of an order made under section 32 of the Official Languages Act 2003 in force immediately before the making of the first-mentioned order shall stand revoked in so far only as it conflicts with the first-mentioned order.

(5) (a) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this Part.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), regulations under that paragraph may make provision in relation to the bearing of the costs incurred by local authorities in the performance of their functions under section 190 or as a consequence of the substitution of a placename under that section.

(6) In this section "Gaeltacht area" has the same meaning as it has in the Official Languages Act 2003.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F256

Substituted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

Section 193

F257[ Display of name of street or place.

193

193. A local authority may cause the placename of a street or other place to be displayed on a conspicuous part of any building, structure or land located on that street or at that place.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F257

Substituted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

Section 194 194

F258[Construction of references.

194
194

194. (1) Where a declaration under section 189 or 190 is made in respect of a place

(a) references in any enactment, instrument or other document to the placename of that place applicable immediately before the date specified in the declaration in accordance with subsection (9) of section 189 or subsection (9) of section 190, as the case may be, shall, from that date, be construed as references to the placename specified in that declaration, and

(b) references in any proceedings (civil or criminal) pending immediately before that date to the placename first-mentioned in paragraph (a) shall, from that date, be construed as references to the placename second-mentioned in that paragraph.

(2) Where an order under section 192 is made in respect of a place

(a) references in any enactment, instrument or other document to the placename of that place applicable immediately before the date specified in the order in accordance with subsection (3) of that section shall, from that date, be construed as references to the placename specified in that order, and

(b) references in any proceedings (civil or criminal) pending immediately before that date to the placename first-mentioned in paragraph (a) shall, from that date, be construed as references to the placename second-mentioned in that paragraph.]

F259[(3) (a) References in any enactment, instrument or other document to An Daingean shall, from the commencement of section 191, be construed as references to Daingean Uí Chúis.

(b) References in any proceedings (civil or criminal) pending immediately before the commencement of section 191 to An Daingean shall, from such commencement, be construed as references to Daingean Uí Chúis.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F258

Substituted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

F259

Substituted (7.09.2011) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 446 of 2011.

Section 195

Changing of name of locality situated in more than one local authority area.

195

195.F260[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F260

Deleted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

Section 196

General provisions relating to change of names.

196

196.F261[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F261

Deleted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

Section 197

Display of name of street, etc.

197

197.F262[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F262

Deleted (31.01.2019) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 23 of 2019.

PART 19

Bye-Laws

Section 198

Interpretation (Part 19).

198

198.—(1) In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires—

“appropriate Minister”, in relation to any matter, means the Minister of the Government on whom functions stand conferred or who has general responsibility in respect of or connected to the matter in question;

F263["functional area" means as respects

(a) a city council, the city,

(b) a county council, the county,

(c) a city and county council, the city and county;]

(2) In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires, a reference to a bye-law is a reference to a bye-law made, or deemed to have been made, under this Part.

Annotations

Amendments:

F263

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 159, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 199

Power to make bye-law.

199

199.—(1) Subject to subsection (7), a local authority may make a bye-law for or in relation to the use, operation, protection, regulation or management of any land, services, or any other matter provided by or under the control or management of the local authority, whether within or without its functional area or in relation to any connected matter.

(2) (a) Subject to this subsection and subsection (7), a local authority may make a bye-law where in its opinion it is desirable in the interests of the common good of the local community—

(i) that any activity or other matter should be regulated or controlled by bye-law, or

(ii) that any nuisance should be controlled or suppressed by bye-law.

(b) A bye-law may not be made under this subsection for a purpose as respects which provision for that particular purpose is made by or under any other enactment or may be made under such enactment.

(3) Any bye-law may include such provisions as the local authority considers appropriate for its effective application, operation and enforcement and generally to achieve the purposes for which it is made, including—

(a) its application at all times or at specified times;

(b) its application throughout the functional area of the local authority or in any specified part of that functional area;

(c) the prohibition of any activity, matter or thing;

(d) the prescription of specified standards or requirements for, or in relation to, specified activities, matters or things;

(e) the exception of classes of persons or things from the bye-law either subject to or without compliance with specified conditions;

(f) the conduct of persons at specified places or in specified circumstances;

(g) the issue of licences or other authorisations by the local authority subject to or without condition and to have effect permanently or for a specified period;

(h) the payment of a fee or charge at a specified time by any person in respect of any specified matter governed by a bye-law;

(i) the specification of a fine for a contravention of a specified provision of a bye-law as provided by section 205;

(j) the specification of a fixed payment as an alternative to a prosecution for a contravention of a specified provision of a bye-law as provided for by section 206.

(4) (a) A local authority may, subject to this Part, amend any bye-law made by it.

(b) A local authority may revoke any bye-law made by it with effect from such day as is specified in the resolution.

(5) The approval of a draft bye-law, the consideration of submissions in relation to such draft bye-law and the making, amendment or revocation of a bye-law, are each reserved functions.

(6) The power of a local authority to make a bye-law in respect of its functional area includes a power to make a bye-law in respect of the foreshore and of coastal waters adjoining that functional area and with the agreement of any other local authority, of the coastal waters adjoining the functional area of that other local authority.

(7) The appropriate Minister may by regulation prescribe matters or classes of matters in respect of which local authorities are not entitled to make a bye-law.

(8) (a) Where, for given reasons, the appropriate Minister considers that a bye-law or any provision of it is objectionable and so notifies the local authority in writing then, if the local authority does not revoke or amend the bye-law in conformity with the notice, that Minister may by order under this subsection do so with effect from a specified day.

(b) Section 4(4)(c) applies to an order made under paragraph (a).

Section 200

Procedure for making bye-law.

200

200.—(1) Not less than 2 months before a local authority makes a bye-law, the local authority shall publish a notice in one or more newspapers circulating in the area to which the proposal relates—

(a) indicating that it is proposed to make a bye-law and stating its general purpose and where appropriate, that provision is to be made for the imposition of fixed payments in accordance with section 206,

(b) indicating the times at which and the period, which shall be not less than one month, during which a copy of the draft bye-law will be available for public inspection, at such place as is specified in the notice,

(c) stating that a copy of the draft bye-law will be given to any person applying for it on payment of such specified sum, if any, as the local authority may have fixed,

(d) stating that the local authority will consider any submissions in relation to the draft which are submitted to the authority in writing by any person before such date as may be specified, not being less than 7 days after the end of the period for inspection of the draft bye-law, and

(e) where a bye-law is subject to the approval of the appropriate Minister the notice shall comply with section 201(2)(b).

(2) (a) During the period indicated under subsection (1)(b), the local authority shall keep a copy of the draft bye-law open for public inspection, during ordinary office hours at the place specified in the notice and any person may apply for a copy of it.

(b) A copy of the draft bye-law may be obtained by any person on the payment to the local authority concerned of such fee (if any) as the local authority fixes not exceeding the reasonable cost of copying it.

(3) A local authority shall on, or as soon as may be after, the publication by it of a notice under subsection (1), send a copy of such notice together with a copy of the relevant draft bye-law to such persons as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and different provisions may be prescribed for different classes of bye-law.

(4) The local authority shall consider any submissions made to it under subsection (1) and not withdrawn and may then—

(a) make the bye-law either in accordance with the draft or subject to such changes as the local authority may, at its discretion, determine, or

(b) not make the bye-law.

(5) (a) A bye-law made by a local authority, other than a bye-law to which section 201 applies, shall come into force on such date as shall be specified in the bye-law, which is not less than 30 days after its making.

(b) A bye-law to which section 201 applies shall not come into force unless approved by the appropriate Minister under that section.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E317

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2006) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Bye-Laws) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 362 of 2006).

Section 201

Certain bye-laws to be submitted to appropriate Minister.

201

201.—(1) This section applies to a bye-law which by virtue of regulations under subsection (2) is required to be submitted to the appropriate Minister.

(2) (a) The appropriate Minister may make regulations under this section for the purpose of designating any matter or classes of matters in relation to which a bye-law requires the approval of that Minister and any such bye-law made subsequent to the commencement of such regulations shall not come into operation unless so approved.

(b) Subject to this section, section 200 applies to a bye-law to which this section applies but a notice to be published by the local authority under section 200(1) shall state that the bye-law to be made by the local authority is subject to the approval of the appropriate Minister and that the authority is required to submit all submissions which it receives to that Minister together with its comments (if any) on them.

(3) A local authority shall, as soon as may be after the making under section 200 of a bye-law to which this section applies, submit a copy to the appropriate Minister together with a copy of any submissions made to the authority under section 200(1) and not withdrawn and any comments which it may wish to make on those submissions.

(4) The appropriate Minister, having considered the documents submitted by the local authority under subsection (3), may—

(a) approve the bye-law, or

(b) approve the bye-law subject to such amendments as that Minister may incorporate in it, or

(c) refuse to approve the bye-law.

(5) The appropriate Minister shall in approving a bye-law under this section endorse on it a statement that the bye-law has been so approved and shall specify the date on which it shall come into operation.

Section 202

Publication of bye-law.

202

202.—(1) Notice of the making of a bye-law, or approval in the case of a bye-law to which section 201 applies, and of the place where copies of the bye-law may be purchased or inspected shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil and in one or more newspapers circulating in the area to which the bye-law relates.

(2) The notice referred to in subsection (1) shall include—

(a) a statement of the general purposes for which the bye-law was made,

(b) the date on which it comes into force,

(c) a statement that a copy of the bye-law may be inspected, during ordinary office hours, at the principal offices of the local authority, and

(d) a statement that a copy of the bye-law will be given to any person applying for it on payment of a specified fee, not exceeding the reasonable cost of making such copy.

(3) (a) The local authority shall keep a copy of the bye-law open for public inspection during ordinary office hours at the principal offices of the local authority and any person may apply for a copy of it.

(b) A copy of the bye-law may be obtained by any person on the payment to the local authority concerned of such fee (if any) as the local authority fixes not exceeding the reasonable cost of the making of a copy.

(4) Failure to publish notice of the making of, or as appropriate, the approval of, or to make available a copy of, any bye-law does not invalidate that bye-law.

(5) (a) Where a bye-law relates to the use, regulation or management of land provided by a local authority, a local authority shall endeavour to keep a notice displayed at or near such land that a bye-law applies to it.

(b) Failure to provide or to keep a notice under paragraph (a) is not a defence in any prosecution for contravention of a provision of a bye-law.

(6) A local authority shall maintain a register of bye-laws made by it under this Part and under Part VII of the Local Government Act, 1994, and the register shall—

(a) be available for public inspection at the principal offices of the local authority during normal office hours, and

(b) include the date of the coming into operation, the area of application, and an indication of the subject matter of all bye-laws made by the authority.

Section 203

Proof of bye-law.

203

203.—Whenever required so to do by any court, it is the duty of a local authority, to produce to that court a true copy of any bye-law and to verify the copy to that court by having endorsed on the copy a certificate signed by an employee (whose official position it is not necessary to prove) of the local authority, by which the bye-law was made and that court shall receive the copy in evidence and, accordingly, the copy as so certified is evidence of the bye-law unless the contrary is shown.

Section 204

Obstruction, etc. of authorised person.

204

204.—(1) In this section “authorised person” means a person authorised in writing by a local authority for the purpose of this section or, except in the case of subsection (4), a member of the Garda Síochána.

(2) An authorised person may request any person who appears to be contravening or to have contravened a provision of a bye-law relating to any land, service or any other thing provided by or under the control or management of the local authority to leave such land or to refrain from any activity and may remove any person failing to comply with such request.

(3) (a) A person who obstructs or impedes or refuses to comply with a request of an authorised person acting in the exercise of the functions conferred on an authorised person by this Part is guilty of an offence.

(b) Where an authorised person is of the opinion that a person is committing or has committed an offence to which this section or section 205 relates, the authorised person may demand the name and address of such person and if that demand is refused or the person gives a name or address which is false or misleading, that person is guilty of an offence.

(c) A person who is convicted of an offence under this subsection is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.

(d) Where a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that a person is committing or has committed an offence to which this section or section 205 relates, that member may arrest the person without warrant.

(4) A person is not bound to comply with a request of an authorised person under this section unless the authorised person produces, if requested by the person, evidence of appointment as an authorised person for the purpose of this Part.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E318

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 205

Bye-law offences and penalties.

205

205.—(1) A person who contravenes a provision of any bye-law is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or such lesser amount as may be specified in the bye-law in respect of such contravention.

(2) If the contravention of a provision of a bye-law is continued after conviction, the person causing the contravention is guilty of an offence on each day on which that contravention continues and is liable on summary conviction for each such offence to a fine not exceeding £100 or such lesser amount as may be specified in the bye-law in respect of such contravention.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E319

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

E320

A fine of £100 converted (1.01.1999) to €126.97. This translates into a class E fine, not greater than €500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 8(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 206

Fixed payment notices.

206

206.—(1) A bye-law may provide for a person to be served with a notice, specifying a fixed payment, not exceeding such amount as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, in respect of a contravention of a bye-law as an alternative to a prosecution for the contravention and where the bye-law so provides it shall specify—

(a) the amount of the fixed payment, and

(b) the period within which it must be paid in order to avoid prosecution.

(2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall specify—

(a) the name and address of the alleged offender,

(b) in general terms the nature of the contravention alleged to have been committed,

(c) the date and place of the alleged contravention,

(d) the amount of the payment,

(e) the period within which and the place where the fixed payment may be made, and

(f) that the alleged offender is entitled to disregard the notice and defend a prosecution of the alleged contravention in court.

(3) A fixed payment shall not exceed the maximum fine duly provided for in respect of the alleged contravention concerned.

(4) Where a fixed payment has been duly paid in respect of an alleged contravention by a person, no proceedings shall be instituted against the person in respect of the alleged contravention.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E321

Power pursuant to section exercised (10.07.2006) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Bye-Laws) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 362 of 2006).

Section 207

Prosecution of offences (Part 19).

207

207.—An offence under this Part may be prosecuted by the local authority which made the relevant bye-law, by any other local authority acting on its behalf or by a member of the Garda Síochána.

Section 208

Payments of fines and fixed payments.

208

208.—All fines in respect of offences under this Part and all fixed payments to which section 206 relates shall be paid to the local authority by which the relevant bye-law was made.

Section 209

Continuation in force of existing bye-laws, etc.

209

209.—(1) Every bye-law made under Part VII of the Local Government Act, 1994, and subsisting at the commencement of this provision, shall continue in force as if made under this Part and may be amended or revoked as if made under this Part.

(2) Without prejudice to section 20 of the Interpretation Act, 1937, references in—

(a) section 35 of the Waste Management Act, 1996,

(b) section 89 of the Harbours Act, 1996,

(c) section 13 of the Control of Horses Act, 1996, and

(d) section 21(3) of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997,

to Part VII of the Local Government Act, 1994, or any section of that Part shall be read as a reference to Part 19 of this Act or to the corresponding section of Part 19, as the case may be.

(3) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854, sections 78 to 88 of that Act shall continue to apply and have effect and for that purpose any reference to bye-laws in the said section 88 shall be read as reference to a bye-law made under this Part.

(4) Every bye-law made under section 30, 41 or 42(2) of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, or under section 88 of the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854, and subsisting at the commencement of this provision shall continue in force as if made under this Part and may be amended or revoked as if made under this Part.

(5) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that any matter capable of being governed by a bye-law referred to in subsection (4) may be the subject of a bye-law made under this Part.

(6) In so far as certain bye-laws continue to apply for certain purposes under section 22(2) of the Building Control Act, 1990, such bye-laws continue to so apply in accordance with that section.

Section 210

Power to apply (Part 19).

210

210.—(1) Without prejudice to section 3 or 4 the Minister may by regulations under this section in relation to any provision of any enactment which confers on a local authority a power to make bye-laws apply some or all of this Part and any such bye-law is subject to such provisions as are so applied and the provision of the relevant enactment shall be read accordingly.

(2) The Local Government Act, 1994 (Bye-Laws) Regulations, 1999 (S.I. No. 78 of 1999), shall continue in force as if made under the corresponding provisions of this Act and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

Section 211

Amendment of Control of Dogs Act, 1986.

211

211.—(1) Section 17 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992, is hereby amended by the substitution for that section of the following—

“17.—(1) A local authority may make bye-laws relating to the control of dogs within its functional area.

(2) A bye-law under subsection (1) shall, subject to subsection (3), be made in accordance with, and read as if it was made under Part 19 of the Local Government Act, 2001.

(3) Section 27(1)(d) and section 30 shall apply in respect of a bye-law under subsection (1) and paragraphs (h) and (i) of section 199(3) of the Local Government Act, 2001, and sections 205 to 208 of that Act shall not apply in respect of such bye-law.

(4) Bye-laws under subsection (1) may, without prejudice to the generality of that subsection or of section 199(3) of the Local Government Act, 2001, make provision for all or any of the following matters:

(a) specify areas in such part of the functional area of the local authority as may be specified in the bye-laws in which the person in charge of a dog shall be required to keep the dog on a leash,

(b) specify areas in such part of the functional area of the local authority as may be specified in the bye-laws in which a dog, other than a dog being used by a blind person or by a person whose eyesight is so defective that the person is unable to find his or her way without guidance, shall not be allowed.

(5) Bye-laws made under this section shall not apply to a dog being used—

(a) in the execution of his or her duty by a member of the Garda Síochána, or

(b) for such other purpose as the Minister may prescribe.”.

(2) Section 27 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as substituted by section 9 of the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992, is amended by the substitution in subsection (2) of that section of “£1,500” for “£1,000”.

(3) Section 28 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as amended by section 10 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1992, is amended by the substitution in subsections (1) and (3) of “paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of section 27(1) of this Act” for “paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of section 27(1) of this Act”.

(4) Section 30 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, is amended by the addition of the following subsection:

“(3) All fines in respect of offences under this Act shall be paid to the local authority in whose area the offence was committed.”.

(5) Any bye-laws made under section 17 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, before the commencement of this provision shall continue in force and shall be deemed to have been made under section 17 of that Act as substituted by this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

PART 19A

Entry Year Property Levy

Section 211A

Definitions.

211A

211A. In this Part:

"entry date", in relation to qualifying property, means the date on which the first rateable valuation for that property is entered on the valuation list;

"entry year", in relation to qualifying property, means the financial year in which the property is first entered on a valuation list;

"levypayer", in relation to qualifying property, means the person liable to pay the levy in respect of that property under section 211B(6);

"post-entry year" means the financial year following the entry year for a qualifying property;

"qualifying property" means property that is subject to the levy under section 211B(1);

"rating authority area" has the same meaning as in the Valuation Act 2001;

"relevant property" has the same meaning as in the Valuation Act 2001.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F264

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 211B

F265[Entry year property levy.

211B

211B. (1) When newly erected or newly constructed relevant property comes into being in a rating authority area and the property is first entered on the valuation list relating to that area, the rating authority concerned shall impose and collect a levy in respect of that property in accordance with this section.

(2) Property that is not rateable pursuant to section 15(2), (3) or (4) of the Valuation Act 2001 is not subject to the levy under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the amount of the levy under subsection (1) is to be determined by the formula

(A x B) x (C/D)

where

A is the annual rate on valuation that was determined by the rating authority for the entry year pursuant to section 103(7)(b)(i),

B is the rateable valuation of the property,

C is the number of days remaining in the entry year, beginning with the entry date, and

D is the total number of days in the entry year.

(4) If qualifying property is unoccupied on the entry date, the amount of the levy is to be determined by applying the formula set out in subsection (3) and dividing that result by 2.

(5) Notice of the levy shall be sent by post or otherwise delivered to the person liable to pay the levy for the qualifying property under subsection (6) (the "levypayer") and the notice shall include the following information:

(a) the amount of the levy;

(b) the date by which the levy is due and payable and the manner in which it is to be paid.

(6) The following are liable to pay the levy under this section:

(a) the person who is in occupation of the qualifying property on the entry date;

(b) if the qualifying property is unoccupied on the entry date, the person who owns the property on that date.

(7) The date specified under subsection (5)(b) may not be less than 14 days from the date that the notice is sent under that subsection.

(8) The levypayer shall pay the full amount of the levy to the rating authority by the date specified under subsection (5)(b).

(9) The levy for which a levypayer is liable under this section is recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction and, if there is more than one levypayer in respect of the qualifying property, those levypayers are jointly and severally liable for that levy.

(10) A levy is not invalidated by any error or defect in the statement of the name of the levypayer in the notice under subsection (5) or by the use of the description "the owner" or "the occupier" without any name or addition, and the levy is recoverable from the levypayer notwithstanding any such error or defect or the use of any such description.

(11) For the purposes of this section and section 211E, qualifying property is "unoccupied" if the person who owns the property on the entry date (the "owner") satisfies the rating authority that

(a) the owner was not occupying the property on that date,

(b) no other person was entitled to the use or enjoyment of the property on that date, and

(c) acting in good faith, the owner was genuinely unable to find a suitable tenant for the property at a reasonable rent.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F265

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 211C

F266[Recalculation of levy in event of total destruction or demolition of property.

211C

211C. (1) If during the entry year qualifying property is demolished or destroyed to the extent that it is incapable of rateable occupation by the owner of the property, the levypayer may apply in writing to the rating authority concerned for a refund or credit on the amount of the levy paid or payable under section 211B.

(2) On receiving the application and being satisfied that the condition described in subsection (1) has been met, the rating authority shall prorate the amount of the levy that was paid or is payable for that portion of the entry year during which the property is incapable of rateable occupation and that prorated amount shall be

(a) refunded to the applicant levypayer, in the case where the levy has already been paid in full,

(b) refunded to the applicant levypayer to the extent that any partial payment of the levy that has been made would result in an overpayment because of the application of this subsection, or

(c) if paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply, credited to the account of the applicant levypayer.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F266

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 211D

F267[Recalculation of entry year levy if rateable valuation amended.

211D

211D. (1) This section applies if

(a) the levypayer has paid the levy payable in respect of qualifying property under section 211B,

(b) the rateable valuation of the property changes during the entry year because of amendment to the valuation list described in section 28 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(c) the levypayer has not received a refund or credit under section 211C in respect of the property.

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after amendment of the rateable valuation of the property described in subsection (1), the entry-year levy for that property shall be recalculated by the rating authority under section 211B(3) or (4), as the case may be, using the same annual rate on valuation but the amended rateable valuation for the property, and the recalculated amount shall be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the entry year, beginning with the date that the rateable valuation is amended.

(3) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an overpayment, then the rating authority shall pay to the levypayer a refund in the amount of that overpayment.

(4) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an underpayment, then

(a) the levypayer is liable for the balance owing,

(b) the balance owing may be recovered from the levypayer by the same means provided under section 211B, and

(c) the provisions of section 211B(5) to (10) apply for the purposes of that recovery.

(5) If

(a) the amended rateable valuation for the property referred to in subsection (2) is consequently the subject of an appeal under Part 7 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(b) after all appeals under that Part have been exhausted, the final rateable valuation of the property for the entry year is different than it was for purposes of the recalculation under subsection (2),

the rating authority shall recalculate the entry-year levy for that property under section 211B(3) or (4), as the case may be, using the same formula applied in those provisions except where "B" is now the final rateable valuation for the property referred to in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(6) If, as a result of recalculation under subsection (5), the amount of money paid by the levypayer in respect of the entry-year levy involved an overpayment or an underpayment, then

(a) in the case of an overpayment, subsection (3) applies, and

(b) in the case of an underpayment, subsection (4) applies.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F267

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 211E

F268[Post-entry year property levy in specified circumstances.

211E

211E. (1) If qualifying property is first entered on the valuation list relating to a rating authority area after the rating authority concerned determines the annual rate on valuation for the post-entry year pursuant to section 107(3)(b)(i), the rating authority shall impose and collect an additional levy in respect of that property in accordance with this section.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the amount of the levy under subsection (1) is to be determined by the formula

A x B

where

A is the annual rate on valuation that was determined by the rating authority for the post-entry year pursuant to section 103(7)(b)(i), and

B is the rateable valuation of the property.

(3) If the property referred to in subsection (1) is unoccupied on the entry date, the amount of the levy is to be determined by applying the formula set out in subsection (2) and dividing that result by 2.

(4) Notice of the levy shall be sent by post or otherwise delivered to the levypayer and the notice shall include the following information:

(a) the amount of the levy;

(b) the date by which the levy is due and payable and the manner in which it is to be paid.

(5) The date specified under subsection (4)(b) may not be less than 14 days from the date that the notice is sent under that subsection.

(6) The levypayer shall pay the full amount of the levy to the rating authority by the date specified under subsection (4)(b).

(7) The provisions of section 211B(9) and (10) apply for purposes of recovery of the levy under this section and any references in those provisions to section 211B shall be construed as references to this section.

(8) The provisions of section 211C apply in respect of a qualifying property that may be subject to the post-entry year levy under this section and, for that purpose, the following rules of construction apply:

(a) any references in those provisions to section 211B shall be construed as references to this section;

(b) any references in those provisions to "entry year" shall be construed as references to "post-entry year".]

Annotations

Amendments:

F268

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 211F

F269[Recalculation of post-entry year levy if rateable valuation amended.

211F

211F. (1) This section applies if

(a) the levypayer has paid the levy payable in respect of qualifying property under section 211E,

(b) the rateable valuation of the property changes during the post-entry year because of amendment to the valuation list described in section 28 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(c) the levypayer has not received a refund or credit in respect of the property pursuant to section 211E(8).

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after amendment of the rateable valuation of the property described in subsection (1), the post-entry year levy for that property shall be recalculated by the rating authority under section 211E(2) or (3), as the case may be, using the same annual rate on valuation but the amended rateable valuation for the property, and the recalculated amount shall be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the post-entry year, beginning with the date that the rateable valuation is amended.

(3) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an overpayment, then the rating authority shall pay to the levypayer a refund in the amount of that overpayment.

(4) If, as a result of the recalculation under subsection (2), the payment of the levy described in subsection (1)(a) involved an underpayment, then

(a) the levypayer is liable for the balance owing,

(b) the balance owing may be recovered from the levypayer by the same means provided under section 211E, and

(c) the provisions of section 211E(4) to (7) apply for the purposes of that recovery.

(5) If

(a) the amended rateable valuation for the property referred to in subsection (2) is consequently the subject of an appeal under Part 7 of the Valuation Act 2001, and

(b) after all appeals under that Part have been exhausted, the final rateable valuation of the property for the post-entry year is different than it was for purposes of the recalculation under subsection (2),

the rating authority shall recalculate the post-entry year levy for that property under section 211E(2) or (3), as the case may be, using the same formula applied in those provisions except where "B" is now the final rateable valuation for the property referred to in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(6) If, as a result of recalculation under subsection (5), the amount of money paid by the levypayer in respect of the post-entry year levy involved an overpayment or an underpayment, then

(a) in the case of an overpayment, subsection (3) applies, and

(b) in the case of an underpayment, subsection (4) applies.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F269

Part 19A (ss. 211A-211F) inserted (24.12.2006) by Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

PART 20

Public Local Inquiries

Section 212

Power to hold public local inquiries.

212

212.—(1) The Minister may cause such public local inquiries to be held as he or she may consider necessary or desirable—

(a) for the purposes of section 216(1)(a) or the functions conferred on him or her or by any other enactment, or

(b) in relation to the performance of the functions of any local authority.

(2) A public local inquiry under subsection (1) shall be conducted by a person (in this Part referred to as an “inspector”) appointed for that purpose by the Minister who shall, without prejudice to any specific requirements in the enactments referred to in subsection (1), prepare a report of the inquiry and submit it to the Minister.

(3) For the purposes of a public local inquiry provided for by this section—

(a) the Minister may, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, engage one or more persons having qualifications which, in the opinion of the Minister are relevant to the conduct of the inquiry and for the purposes of this Part such person or persons is deemed to be an inspector or inspectors, as the case may be, and

(b) the Minister may pay to a person engaged under this subsection such remuneration and allowances as the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.

(4) The Minister may make regulations in relation to the conduct of a public local inquiry, the procedures at such an inquiry and the replacement of an inspector appointed to conduct an inquiry who dies, retires, resigns or is otherwise not available.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C62

Functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (3) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Enactments

...

Part 2

1922 to 2011 Enactments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

(1)

(2)

(3)

...

...

...

No. 37 of 2001

Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66(7), 81(6), 92(2), 109(8), 169(1)(a), 212(3) and 231(1)

...

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19/2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

Section 213

Power of inspector conducting a public local inquiry.

213

213.—(1) (a) An inspector appointed under section 212(2) to conduct a public local inquiry may take evidence on oath or on affirmation at the inquiry and, for that purpose, he or she may administer oaths and affirmations.

(b) A person giving evidence at an inquiry to which paragraph (a) relates is entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he or she were a witness before the High Court.

(c) A statement or admission made by a person before an inspector conducting a public local inquiry under this Part is not admissible in evidence against that person in any criminal proceedings other than proceedings in relation to an offence under subsection (4) or (5).

(2) An inspector appointed to conduct a public local inquiry under this Part may require any employee or member of a local authority to give to him or her any information which he or she reasonably requires for the purposes of the inquiry, and it is the duty of such person to comply with such requirement.

(3) (a) Subject to this section the inspector conducting a public local inquiry under this Part may require any person by notice in writing to do either or both of the following:

(i) attend the inquiry at such place and time as is specified in the notice to give evidence in relation to any matter in question at such inquiry, and

(ii) produce any books, receipts, deeds, contracts, accounts, vouchers, maps, plans, documents, or other data, information, materials or things in his or her possession, custody or control which relate to any such matter.

(b) A notice under paragraph (a) may be served—

(i) by delivering it to the person to whom it relates, or

(ii) by sending it by post in a prepaid registered envelope addressed to that person at the address at which he or she ordinarily resides or, where an address for service has been furnished, at such address.

(4) Where a person on whom a notice has been served under subsection (3)

(a) refuses or wilfully neglects to attend in accordance with such notice,

(b) wilfully alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys any document or other information to which such notice relates,

(c) or who, having so attended in accordance with such notice refuses to give evidence,

(d) refuses or wilfully fails to produce any document or other information to which such notice relates,

such person is guilty of an offence under this section and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(5) Where a person on whom a notice has been served under subsection (3) or any other person—

(a) wilfully gives evidence which is material to the inquiry and which he or she knows to be false or does not believe to be true,

(b) by act or omission, obstructs or hinders the inspector conducting the inquiry in performance of his or her functions,

(c) refuses to take an oath or to make an affirmation when duly required by an inspector conducting the inquiry,

(d) refuses to answer any question to which the inspector conducting an inquiry may legally require an answer,

(e) does or omits to do any other thing and if such doing or omission would, if the inquiry had been the High Court, have been contempt of that Court,

such person is guilty of an offence under this section and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(6) (a) For the purposes of an inquiry under this Part, an inspector at all reasonable times (subject to his or her producing, if so required, his or her authority in writing as such person)—

(i) may, in the case of a dwelling with the consent of the occupier or any person appearing to the inspector to be in charge of the dwelling, enter and inspect the dwelling and do there all things reasonably necessary for the purpose for which the entry is made, and

(ii) in the case of land which is not a dwelling, shall be entitled to enter and inspect, such land or any thing on, or under such land and do there all things reasonably necessary for the purpose for which the entry is made and, in particular may survey, make plans, borings or tests, take levels, make excavations, take samples and photographs and examine the depth and nature of the subsoil.

(b) An inspector may take into any dwelling or onto any land which is not a dwelling such person or equipment as he or she considers necessary to assist him or her for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (a).

(7) (a) Where an inspector is refused entry to a dwelling or land which is not a dwelling and such entry would be for the purposes of the exercise of his or her functions under this section, the Minister may apply to the District Court for a warrant authorising such entry.

(b) If on application being made to him or her under this subsection, a judge of the District Court is satisfied, on the sworn information of the applicant, that the inspector has been prevented from entering the dwelling or land concerned, the judge may issue a warrant under his or her hand authorising—

(i) the inspector at any time or times within one month from the date of the issue of the warrant, on production if so requested of the warrant, to enter, if need be by force, the dwelling or land concerned and exercise his or her functions under this section, and

(ii) if the judge considers it appropriate so to provide, the inspector to be accompanied by members of the Garda Síochána when entering the dwelling or land concerned.

(8) (a) If on a claim to the Minister it is shown that, as result of the exercise of any function under subsection (6), any person has suffered damage, that person is entitled to be paid by the Minister compensation in respect of the damage and the amount of damage may, in default of agreement, be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) A claim under this section shall be made within, but not after—

(i) 6 months after the damage is suffered, or

(ii) such longer period as the court may allow if it appears to the court that there are reasonable grounds for requiring a longer period and that it would be just and equitable to extend the period.

(9) A person who obstructs or impedes or assists a person to obstruct or impede—

(a) an inspector in performance of his or her functions under subsection (6) (other than a person to whom paragraph (a)(i) of that subsection relates unless subsection (7)(b) also applies), or

(b) an inspector or a member of the Garda Síochána in performance of his or her functions under subsection (7)(b),

is guilty of an offence under this section and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(10) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought by the Minister.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E322

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 214

Power to direct payment of certain costs in relation to a public local inquiry, etc.

214

214.—(1) Where a public local inquiry is held under this Part, the Minister may in his or her absolute discretion direct the payment of such sum as he or she considers reasonable by—

(a) any local authority concerned in such inquiry to the Minister towards the costs incurred by the Minister in holding the inquiry including any payment made under section 213(8),

(b) any local authority concerned in such inquiry to any person appearing at the inquiry towards the costs incurred by such person, other than costs of such nature as is provided for in subsection (3),

(c) any person appearing at the inquiry to the Minister or to any local authority concerned in such inquiry towards the costs incurred by the Minister or by that authority.

(2) A reference to costs in subsection (1) shall be read as a reference to such costs as the Minister may in his or her absolute discretion determine to be the reasonable costs and irrespective of any amount claimed to have been incurred.

(3)(a) A local authority concerned in a local inquiry held by an inspector under this or any other enactment, shall, if so directed by the inspector, pay or tender to any person whose attendance at the inquiry such inspector requires by notice under section 213(3) reasonable subsistence and travelling expenses.

(b) The expenses referred to in paragraph (a) shall be determined by that local authority in accordance with the rates for the time being applicable to senior local authority employees.

(4) Where the Minister gives a direction under subsection (1) or an inspector under subsection (3) and a local authority or person the subject of the direction fails to pay such sum as may be specified in the direction to the Minister, to the local authority or other person, as the case may be, the Minister, local authority or that person (as may be appropriate) may recover such sum as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(5) Nothing in section 153 shall operate to prejudice the separate appearance or representation, subject to the consent of the Minister, of a F270[chief executive] at a public local inquiry to which section 212(1)(a) applies in relation to a local authority for which he or she is F270[chief executive] and in such circumstances for the members of the local authority, subject to such consent, by resolution to engage and instruct representation on behalf of the local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F270

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 160, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

PART 21

Consequential Provisions on Failure to Perform Functions

Section 215

Definitions (Part 21).

215

215.—(1) In this Part—

“commissioner” means a person appointed as such by the Minister under section 218;

“new election” has the meaning given by section 217(1)(a);

“removal period” has the meaning given by section 217(1)(e);

“section 10A” means section 10A (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Act, 1994) of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, as continued by section 113(2) of this Act.

(2) In this Part every reference to a removal from office shall be read as a reference to a removal from office under section 216.

Section 216

Failure to perform functions, etc.

216

216.—(1) The Minister may be order remove from office the members of a local authority if and whenever—

(a) the Minister, after holding a public local inquiry into the performance by a local authority of its functions, is satisfied that such functions are not being duly and effectually performed, or

(b) a local authority refuses or neglects to comply with a judgement, order, or decree of any court, or

(c) a local authority fails to comply with a requirement made by notification under subsection (1) of section 10A, within F271[14 days] after the date of notification, or

(d) a local authority in the circumstances set out in subsection (6) of section 10A, adopts a revised estimate of expenses which is, in accordance with that section, insufficient, or

(e) a local authority refuses or wilfully neglects to comply with any other express requirement which is imposed on it by or under any enactment including this Act, or

(f) the members of a local authority are less in number than the quorum for meetings of such local authority.

(2)(a) Where the members of a local authority are removed from office under this section, every person who immediately before the removal was a member of a linked body within the meaning of section 220 or of any other body and in either case by virtue of being nominated, elected or appointed by such local authority or by virtue of being the Cathaoirleach or by holding any other office or position relating to membership of such authority, shall cease also to be a member of the linked body or other body concerned.

(b) Section 220 applies, as appropriate, to the linked body concerned.

(3) The removal from office of the members of a local authority does not affect or in any way prejudice the continuity of the existence of that local authority as a corporate body by the title appropriate to it under this Act.

(4) An order under subsection (1) may include all such things as the Minister considers necessary or expedient to enable a local authority whose members are removed from office to function duly and effectually and generally to enable this Part to have full force and effect.

(5) Without prejudice to section 20 of the Interpretation Act, 1937, the reference in sections 16 and 17 of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974, to Part IV of the Local Government Act, 1941, shall be read as a reference to this Part.

Annotations

Amendments:

F271

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 161, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 217

Holding of new election after removal of members.

217

217.—(1) (a) The Minister may, by order, subject to paragraph (b), fix a day for the holding of an election (in this Part referred to as a “new election”) of members of any local authority of which the members have been removed from office and such election shall be held on that day.

(b) A new election shall not be fixed for a day which is within 12 months of the period within which the next local elections fall to be held in accordance with section 26.

(c) F272[]

(d) Where a day for the holding of a new election is not fixed under this subsection, then an election of the members of the local authority concerned shall be held on the day of the next local elections and such election shall for the purposes of this Part be deemed to be a new election.

(e) The period between the removal of members from office and the day of coming into office of the members elected at a new election is referred to in this Part as the removal period.

(2) The Minister may by order make such provision as may be necessary to provide for the coming into office of persons elected at a new election to which subsection (1)(d) does not apply; including provision for the annual meeting to be held following their coming into office, the business of such meeting and related matters.

(3) Where a new election has been held in accordance with this Part the term of office of members elected at the new election shall expire to coincide with the next ordinary day of retirement of members of local authorities as referred to in section 17.

Annotations

Amendments:

F272

Repealed (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(c), commenced on enactment.

Section 218

Appointment of commissioners, etc.

218

218.—(1) For the purposes of enabling a local authority whose members have been removed from office to function during the removal period, the Minister shall from time to time appoint any one or more persons to be the commissioner or commissioners for any such local authority.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may—

(a) remove any commissioner for a local authority appointed under this section and appoint another person to be commissioner for such local authority in his or her place,

(b) where there are one or more commissioners appointed under this section for a local authority, appoint one or more persons to be additional commissioners for such local authority,

(c) where there are 2 or more commissioners appointed under this section for a local authority, reduce the number of such commissioners and for that purpose remove one or more of such commissioners,

(d) provide for a deputy to exercise the functions of a commissioners who by reason of ill-health or otherwise is absent, and

(e) where there are 2 or more commissioners for a local authority, provide generally or as regards particular matters for the acting of such commissioners individually, collectively or by a majority.

(3) The Minister may fix the tenure of office of any commissioner.

(4) The Minister may direct the payment of remuneration or allowances for expenses to any commissioner and may fix its amount, and such remuneration or allowances as so fixed shall be paid out of revenues of the relevant local authority as part of its general expenses.

Section 219

Exercise of functions by commissioners.

219

219.—(1) (a) Subject to subsection (3), during the removal period every function which is a reserved function of such local authority or a function to be exercised by the Cathaoirleach shall be exercised or performed by the commissioner or commissioners for such local authority.

(b) References in paragraph (a) to functions includes every permissive power to appoint a committee.

(2) During the removal period any enactment restricting the membership of a committee in whole or in part to members of the local authority concerned shall stand suspended.

(3) No commissioner or commissioners shall by virtue of being a commissioner or commissioners—

(a) nominate a candidate for election to the office of President,

(b) make nominations or vote in elections for Seanad Éireann,

(c) apply for an alteration of the number of members of the local authority under section 22, or

(d) exercise such other functions of a local authority as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

Section 220

Linked bodies.

220

220.—(1) In this section—

“the appropriate Minister” means the Minister of the Government on whom functions stand conferred in relation to the linked body in question;

F273[linked body means F274[a Regional Health Forum established under the Health Act 2004,] F275[an education and training board], a school attendance committee, a harbour board, a joint body and any other body

(a) which is required by law to be composed wholly or partly of persons nominated, elected or appointed by a local authority or by 2 or more local authorities, or

(b) which is required by law to include one or more persons, who hold membership of such linked body by virtue of being Cathaoirleach or by holding any other office or position relating to membership of a local authority.]

(2) Where the members of a local authority are removed from office under this Part, the Minister may, after consultation with the appropriate Minister, make an order under this section in relation to any linked body affected by such removal in so far as the Minister thinks necessary or expedient for securing that the body concerned shall function notwithstanding such removal and, in particular, such order may provide—

(a) where the linked body concerned is required by law to be composed wholly of persons nominated, elected or appointed by the local authority concerned, either—

(i) for the transfer of the functions of that linked body to the commissioner or commissioners for that local authority and for the exercise and performance of such functions directly by that commissioners or those commissioners, or

(ii) for such provision as he or she thinks necessary or expedient for the appointment of the members of that linked body, including—

(I) the appointment of particular persons to be members, and

(II) reducing the number of the members and the quorum of that linked body,

and

(b) where the linked body concerned is required by law to be composed in part only of persons nominated, elected or appointed by the local authority concerned, for such provision as he or she thinks proper for filling all or any of those places in the membership of that linked body which are required by law to be filled by persons nominated, elected or appointed by such local authority, including—

(i) appointing a particular person or persons to fill such places, and

(ii) reducing the number of such places and, in consequence of such reduction, reducing the total number of members and the quorum of such body.

(3) During the removal period any enactment restricting the membership of a linked body in whole or in part to members of the local authority concerned shall stand suspended.

(4) The continuity of the existence of a linked body as a corporate body shall not be affected by the exercise of the power conferred on the Minister under this Part.

Annotations

Amendments:

F273

Inserted (15.06.2004) by Health (Amendment) Act 2004 (19/2004), s. 26, S.I. No. 378 of 2004.

F274

Substituted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 6 pt. 21 item 4, S.I. No. 887 of 2004, art. 2(i).

F275

Substituted (1.07.2013) by Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (11/2013), s. 72 and sch. 6 item 37, S.I. No. 211 of 2013.

Editorial Notes:

E323

Previous affecting provision: definition of “linked body” inserted (15.06.2004) by Health (Amendment) Act 2004 (19/2004), s. 26, S.I. No. 378 of 2004; superseded as per F-note above.

PART 22

Miscellaneous

Section 221

Annual report.

221

221.—(1)(a) Not later than the 30th day of June in each year F276[every local authority] shall each prepare and adopt a report (to be known as the annual report) in relation to the performance of its functions during the preceding year and shall as soon as may be furnish a copy of the annual report to each member of F276[the local authority concerned] and to such other persons as it may consider appropriate.

(b) A draft of the annual report shall be submitted to the members of F276[the local authority concerned] not later than the 30th day of April in each year.

(2) An annual report of a F276[local authority] shall include the following:

(a) particulars of the policies, programmes, services and other activities undertaken by the F276[local authority];

F276[(b) such particulars as are required by sections 48, 66, 66G, 49A(7), 75, 76, 126D(9), 134, 134A(6) and 228;]

(c) such particulars as may be required by a provision of any other enactment;

(d) particulars in relation to any acts adopted or orders, byelaws, rules or other instruments made under statute by resolution of the members of the F276[local authority] during the year to which the annual report relates; and

F277[(dd) particulars of

(i) the expenditure incurred by the F276[local authority] in performing its functions relating to civil defence, and

(ii) gifts received by the F276[local authority] during the year to which the report relates in connection with the performance of those functions; ]

(e) such other particulars (including financial statements) as the F276[local authority] may determine or as may be directed by the Minister.

F276[(3)(a) The adoption by a county council or city council of its annual report is a reserved function.

(b) The approval of information to be included in an annual report in relation to the performance of functions by municipal district members is a reserved function.]

(4)(a) Copies of the annual report of a F276[local authority] shall be made available—

(i) at its principal offices during normal office hours for inspection or purchase by members of the public, and

(ii) in public libraries within the county or city concerned.

(b) The purchase price for the annual report of a F276[local authority] may be determined by the F276[local authority] concerned.

(c) A F276[local authority] shall give public notice of the date from which an annual report will be so made available in accordance with paragraph (a).

F276[(5) An annual report prepared by a county council or a city and county council shall include information in relation to the performance of functions by the municipal district members in respect of each municipal district situated within its county or city and county, as the case may be.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F276

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 162-169, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F277

Inserted (31.12.2012) by Civil Defence Act 2012 (51/2012), s. 13, commenced as per ss. 2 and 18(3), S.I. No. 570 of 2012).

Section 222

Returns, information to Minister.

222

222.—A local authority shall provide the Minister with such periodic or other returns or other information regarding the performance of its functions as he or she may from time to time require.

Section 223

Electoral divisions.

223

223.—(1) The Minister may by regulations divide the area of any F278[local authority] into areas to be known as electoral divisions and may vary the name of any such division or make adjustments to the boundaries of any such division or divisions.

(2) Any reference in any enactment to a district electoral division or a ward shall be read as a reference to an electoral division.

Annotations

Amendments:

F278

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 170, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 224

Report by authorised person.

224

224.—(1) In this section “authorised person” means a person authorised in writing for the purposes of this section by the Minister.

(2) (a) The Minister may request an authorised person to prepare a report for the Minister in relation to any matter arising from or relating to any of the functions for the time being conferred on the Minister or in relation to the performance of any of the functions of one or more local authorities.

(b) An authorised person for the purposes of this section is entitled at all reasonable times to enter and inspect any land or premises or structure (other than a dwelling) which is owned, used, controlled or managed by a local authority and shall be afforded every facility and co-operation by the local authority (its members and employees) including the giving of information which he or she reasonably requires and shall have access to all documents, materials, things, or other information which he or she may reasonably require.

(3) Any person who obstructs or impedes or refuses to comply with a request of an authorised person acting in the exercise of the functions conferred on him or her by subsection (2)(b) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(4) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought by the Minister.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E324

A fine of £1,500 converted (1.01.1999) to €1,904.60. This translates into a class C fine, not greater than €2,500, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8/2010), ss. 3, 6(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.

Section 225

Local authority associations.

225

225.—(1) In this section “association of local authorities” means, the General Council of County Councils and the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland or any other body which may be established in place of either or both of those bodies, the membership of such association being constituted by local authorities and the general function of such association being to represent the collective interests of the local authorities which constitute its membership (in this section referred to as “constituent authorities”).

(2) A local authority may hold membership of an association of local authorities.

(3) An association of local authorities may carry out such activities as are necessary to represent the collective interests of the local authorities which constitute its membership, including—

(a) the undertaking of research and other studies,

(b) the promotion of education and training,

F279[(c) the provision of policy support and other assistance to its constituent authorities as regards any matter relating to or that may relate to local government,

(d) the assessment of public policy as regards any matter relating to or that may relate to local government, and

(e) the provision of advice and the making of submissions to the Minister or other public authorities as regards such matters.]

F280[(3A)(a) Where an association of local authorities or, in the event that there is a single association, such association requests a meeting with the Minister in relation to activities under subsection (3), the Minister shall meet a delegation from the association, or hold a meeting to which paragraph (b) applies, at least once in every year.

(b) Where there is more than one association of local authorities in being at the time of a request or requests for a meeting with the Minister under this subsection is or are received, the Minister may require the meeting for the purposes of paragraph (a) to be a meeting with a joint delegation from those associations.]

(4) An association of local authorities shall operate in accordance with its constitution or other procedural rules (by whatever name called).

(5) Without prejudice to any other provisions which may be included in the procedural rules of an association of local authorities, such rules shall set out the general functions and objectives of the association and provide for—

(a) the adoption by the association of annual estimates of expenditure and income,

(b) the keeping of all proper and sufficient accounts of all moneys received or spent by it and of its assets and liabilities,

(c) the audit of such accounts,

(d) the adoption of an annual report on the performance of its functions, and

(e) such other matters as are necessary to give effect to its function of representing the collective interests of its constituent authorities and to give effect to the matters set out in subsection (6).

(6) Where a local authority holds membership of an association of local authorities, the following provisions apply:

(a) the local authority may elect such number of delegates to the association as may be specified in the procedural rules of that association;

(b) the local authority may make annual contributions to the funds of the association;

(c) the association may make payments to its delegates for expenses incurred in respect of travel and subsistence related to the business of the association on the basis set out in its procedural rules;

(d) the association shall provide the local authority with a copy of its procedural rules and shall consult the local authority regarding any proposed changes to those rules;

(e) the association shall provide the local authority and the Minister with—

(i) a copy of its draft estimates,

(ii) a copy of the estimates when adopted,

(iii) a copy of the audited accounts, annual report, and

(iv) such other reports or statements of the association as it may consider appropriate;

(f) the annual estimates shall set out the principal categories of expenditure and income and shall indicate how these relate to the association’s estimated financial requirements for the relevant period;

(g) the local authority and the association shall comply with such general directions as may be issued by the Minister in relation to—

(i) the form and categories in which income and expenditure under this section is shown in estimates and accounts, and

(ii) such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate for the purposes of this section.

(7) For the purposes of this section, an association of local authorities shall, in the course of its activities, have regard to—

(a) its general function of representing the collective interests of its constituent authorities,

(b) the promotion of the interests generally of local government and of democratic representation of local communities,

(c) the likely costs and benefits of its activities to its constituent local authorities,

(d) the need for effectiveness, efficiency and economy in the discharge of its business and to minimise demands on the resources of its constituent authorities, and

(e) any submissions made to it by a constituent authority on foot of subsection (6)(d) or (e) or otherwise, or by the Minister.

(8) The decision to hold or to cease to hold membership of an association of local authorities is a reserved function.

(9) A reference in any enactment to “the association of county councils of Ireland”, “the Irish County Councils General Council” or “the County Councils’ General Council” or to any analogous expression shall be read as a reference to the General Council of County Councils as referred to in subsection (1) or as a reference to that body by whatever name known for the time being.

Annotations

Amendments:

F279

Substituted and inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 56(a), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F280

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 56(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 226

Local Authority Members’ Association.

226

226.—(1) A member of a local authority may in his or her own right hold membership of the association known as the Local Authority Members’ Association and the members of a local authority may appoint a person to represent them on that association.

(2) Subsections (3) to (8) of section 225 apply with any necessary modifications for the purposes of this section.

(3) Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) or section 225 shall be read as preventing the establishment of a unified body to replace the bodies mentioned in those provisions and to represent local government and its elected members.

Section 227

Reclaimed land and structures to form part of local authority area.

227

227.—(1) The maritime boundary of a county, city or town shall on the establishment day by virtue of this subsection be deemed to coincide with the ordinary high water mark for the time being, except where in accordance with section 10(4), such boundary already extends beyond that high water mark.

F281[(1A) In subsection (1) the reference to the maritime boundary of a county or city includes, where the context admits, the maritime boundary of a city and county which is the successor authority (within the meaning of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) to a county and to a city, and references in this section to a county or city shall be read accordingly.]

(2)(a) For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to subsection (1) it is hereby declared that all land which is above the ordinary high water mark for the time being and which is formed by reclamation or other construction works or by natural accretion or otherwise shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any other enactment, for all purposes, including all functions conferred on a local authority by this or any other enactment, be included in and form part of the county or city to which it is contiguous or connected or where it adjoins or is connected to more than one such county or city in proportion to the extent of the common boundary and the boundary of that county or city shall stand altered accordingly.

(b) Where land referred to in paragraph (a) forms part of a county or city it shall by virtue of this paragraph also for all purposes be included in and form part of F282[] any other administrative, electoral or geographical district which it adjoins and which is situated within such county or city or where it adjoins more than one such district in proportion to the extent of the common boundary of such districts.

(c) In this section and for purposes of illustration only and without restriction of the definition of land in section 2 as including a structure, land shall be read as including piers, wharves, jetties, breakwaters, walkways, bridges, pylons, tanks or other installations, equipment or apparatus.

(3) Where a local authority becomes aware that land referred to in subsection (2)(a) has by virtue of this section become part of its administrative area, the authority shall notify the Chief Boundary Surveyor of that fact.

Annotations

Amendments:

F281

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 171, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F282

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 172, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 228

Acceptance of gifts by a local authority.

228

228.—(1) F283[]

(2) A local authority may accept gifts of money, land or other property on the trusts or conditions (if any) as may be specified by the donor.

(3) A local authority shall not accept a gift if the trusts or conditions attached to it would be inconsistent with, or prejudice, the effective performance of its functions.

(4) A local authority shall, as appropriate, publish in its annual report details of all gifts accepted by it during the period of the report.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be read as restricting the right of any local authority to continue to hold and administer gifts of property which it has accepted before the establishment day under the Local Authorities (Acceptance of Gifts) Act, 1945.

Annotations

Amendments:

F283

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 173, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E325

Obligation imposed on local authorities to apply the provisions of the accounting code of practice issued under s. 107 in respect of any gifts received under section (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014), reg. 11, in effect as per reg. 2.

Section 229

Power of local authorities to enter into contracts, etc.

229

229.—(1) A local authority may enter into a contract with any person in respect of any matter arising in relation to the functions of the local authority.

(2) A local authority shall comply with guidelines issued by the Minister or other Minister of the Government in regard to contracts or the seeking, reception and examination of tenders.

(3) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, is not required to be under seal may be entered into or executed on behalf of the local authority by the F284[chief executive] in accordance with section 149(5) or by an employee generally or specially nominated by order of the F284[chief executive] for that purpose.

(4) A local authority may from time to time engage such consultants, advisers or other persons as it considers necessary for the discharge of its functions.

(5) This section shall not be read so as to limit the scope of section 65 in relation to the ancillary functions of local authorities.

(6) This section shall not be read so as to permit the exercise of a reserved function of a local authority other than by a local authority.

Annotations

Amendments:

F284

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 174, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 230

Joint burial boards.

230

230.F285[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F285

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 175, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E326

Transfer day upon which certain Joint Burial Boards and Cemetery Joint Committees are dissolved specified (1.06.2014) by Local Government Act 2001 (section 230) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 447 of 2013).

Section 231

Joint drainage committees.

231

231.— (1) After consultation with the Minister for Finance, the Minister may by order provide that this section is to have effect in respect of a joint drainage committee specified in the order from a date so specified.

(2) F286[(a) In this subsection "the relevant local authorities" means the local authorities which are liable to provide funds to the joint drainage committee concerned.]

(b) Where an order is made under subsection (1), then from the date specified in the order the joint drainage committee so specified is dissolved and ceases to exist and the functions of that committee shall become and be functions of and vest in each of the relevant local authorities for so much of the drainage district as is within each of their administrative areas.

(c) The relevant local authorities may make such joint arrangements as may be necessary for the carrying out of the functions of the dissolved joint drainage committee.

(3)(a) The F286[chief executive] for a joint drainage committee to which an order under subsection (1) applies shall take all such steps as may be necessary—

(i) in preparation for and arising from the dissolution of the committee, and the winding-up of its affairs generally, and

(ii) for the making of such joint or other arrangements as may be necessary for the carrying out of its functions.

(b) It is the duty of the local authorities concerned to co-operate as regards the operation of any arrangements under paragraph (a)(ii).

Annotations

Amendments:

F286

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 refs. 176, 177, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C63

Functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” in subs. (1) construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch. 1 part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2).

2. (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Enactments

...

Part 2

1922 to 2011 Enactments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

(1)

(2)

(3)

...

...

...

No. 37 of 2001

Local Government Act 2001

Sections 66(7), 81(6), 92(2), 109(8), 169(1)(a), 212(3) and 231(1)

...

...

...

Note change of name of Department and Minister to Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (1.02.2023) by Public Expenditure and Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 19/2023), in effect as per art. 1(2).

Editorial Notes:

E327

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2015) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 231) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 478 of 2014).

E328

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.01.2003) by Local Government Act 2001 (Section 231) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 531 of 2002).

Section 232

Regulations to remove difficulties.

232

232.—If, in any respect, any difficulty arises in bringing any provision of this Act into operation or in relation to the operation of any such provision, the Minister may be regulations do anything which appears to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of removing that difficulty, for bringing that provision into operation or for securing or facilitating its operation and any such regulations may modify any provision of this Act or any other enactment so far as may be necessary or expedient for those purposes, but no regulations shall be made under this section in relation to a provision of this Act after the expiration of 3 years from the commencement of that provision.

Section 233

Reduction of grants etc. in certain circumstances.

233

233.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), where in the opinion of the Minister a local authority has failed or substantially failed to comply with a statutory duty under any enactment, the Minister may reduce or withhold payment of any grant or any other money due or otherwise payable to the local authority.

(2) The Minister shall notify the local authority concerned in writing of his or her intention to exercise the functions conferred by subsection (1) and shall state the reasons for it and that local authority may within the period of 3 weeks of such notification make a submission in writing to the Minister as regards the matter and the Minister shall have regard to any such submission so received.

Section 234

Offence by body corporate.

234

234.—(1) Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate and the offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, F287[chief executive], secretary or other similar officer of the body or any person who was claiming to act in any such capacity, that officer or person, as well as the body, is guilty of an offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he or she had committed the first-mentioned offence.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his or her functions of management as if he or she were a director of the body corporate.

Annotations

Amendments:

F287

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 178, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Section 235

Commencement of summary proceedings.

235

235.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings in relation to an offence under this Act may, subject to section 181(8) in respect of such proceedings for an offence under Part 15, be commenced at any time within 12 months from the date on which the offence was committed.

Section 236

Discharge of certain functions by Minister.

236

236.—(1) In this section “officer” means an officer of the Minister who is an established civil servant for the purposes of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956.

(2) The Minister may delegate any of his or her functions under—

(a) this Act,

(b) any enactment mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 12, or

(c) any other enactment, in so far as it relates to local authorities or related matters,

which are specified in the delegation.

(3) Every delegation under this section shall be in writing to a named officer or to an officer of a specified grade, position or description.

(4) A delegation under this section may be revoked by the Minister.

(5) A delegation under this section is without prejudice to the right of the Minister to exercise the function concerned.

(6) Every function delegated under this section shall be exercised and performed by the delegated officer subject to the general supervision and control of the Minister and to such limitations (if any) as may be specified in the delegation or which may be specified in writing by the Minister at any time thereafter.

(7) A delegation made under section 61 of the Local Government Act, 1994, is deemed to be a delegation under this section and continues to have effect accordingly and any reference in such delegation to a function of the Minister under any enactment repealed by this Act shall be read as a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act.

Section 237

Regional authorities, functions.

237

237.—A regional authority established by the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1999 (S.I. No. 226 of 1999), made under section 43 of the Local Government Act, 1991, shall have and be deemed always to have had such functions in connection with assistance from the European Communities as are specified in that order.

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C64

"Regional authorities" construed (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 62(2)(b), S.I. No. 214 of 20214.

Regional assemblies

62. ...

(2) ...

(b) references in any enactment to regional authorities within the meaning of section 43 (as amended by this Act) of the Local Government Act 1991 shall, where the context admits, be read as references to regional assemblies,

...

Section 237A

F288[Regulations relating to members of House of Oireachtas.

237A

237A.(1) In this section "dealing" in relation to a member of either House of the Oireachtas means a dealing with such a member in his or her capacity as such a member.

(2) Local authorities shall conduct their dealings with members of either House of the Oireachtas in accordance with regulations under subsection (3).

(3) The Minister shall make regulations for the purposes of subsection (2) and those regulations shall include provisions in relation to

(a) the supply, without charge, of notice, agenda and minutes of local authority meetings to members of either such House,

(b) the supply by local authorities of other specified documentation or other specified information.

(c) correspondence with such members by local authorities,

(d) arrangements to facilitate access by such members to information, and communication generally by local authorities with such members, and

(e) such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate for the purposes of subsection (2).

(4) Nothing in this section derogates from

(a) section 4,

(b) the functions of a local authority as specified in section 63(1)(a), or

(c) the role of local authority members as locally elected public representatives.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F288

Inserted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 3, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E329

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.08.2003) by Local Government Act, 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 274 of 2003).

PART 23

Transfer of Temple Bar Properties Limited to Dublin City Council

Section 238

Definition (Part 23).

238

238.—In this Part “Act of 1991” means the Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act, 1991.

Section 239

Transfer of Temple Bar Properties Limited to Dublin City Council.

239

239.—The Minister for the Environment and Local Government shall transfer his or her shareholding in Temple Bar Properties Limited to Dublin City Council.

Section 240

Shareholder in Temple Bar Properties Limited.

240

240.—The Act of 1991 is amended by the substitution of the following for section 10—

“10.—Notwithstanding any provision of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999, Dublin City Council, through its nominees, shall be the sole shareholder of Temple Bar Properties Limited.”.

Section 241

Transitional (Part 23).

241

241.—If section 239 or the amendment provided for by section 240 comes into operation before the establishment day provided for by section 9, references to Dublin City Council in those provisions shall, until their coming into operation, be read as references to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the city of Dublin.

Section 242

Repeals (Part 23).

242

242.—Sections 12, 13, 14 and 16 of the Act of 1991 are repealed.

PART 24

Miscellaneous Amendments

Section 243

Amendment of Electoral Act, 1992.

243

243.F289[] the Electoral Act, 1992, is further amended in section 165(8)(b) by the substitution of “the Local Government Act, 2001” for “Part VI of the Electoral Act, 1963”.

Annotations

Amendments:

F289

Deleted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

Section 244

Amendment of Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998.

244

244.Section 31 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, is amended by the substitution of the following for section 31:

“Annual report and activities of a local consultative committee.

31.—An annual report of a local authority prepared in accordance with section 221 of the Local Government Act, 2001, shall record particulars of the activities of the local consultative committee and the steps taken to secure the implementation of an accommodation programme for the functional area concerned during the period to which the annual report relates.”.

Section 245

Amendment of Roads Act, 1993.

245

245.—The Roads Act, 1993, is amended by the insertion of the following after section 15 of that Act:

“Requirements as regards railways, canals, etc.

15A.—A road authority shall not construct or reconstruct a bridge or viaduct over, or a tunnel under—

(a) a railway, save with the consent of the Minister for Public Enterprise, or

(b) any inland waterway within the meaning of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998, or any navigable water, save with the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.”.

Section 246

Amendment of Abattoirs Act, 1988.

246

246.Section 35 of the Abattoirs Act, 1988, is amended—

(a) by the insertion in subsection (1)(a) of “or part-time” after “whole-time”;

(b) by the substitution of the following for subsection (4):

“(4) The provisions of section 85 of the Local Government Act, 2001, shall apply to the appointment of a whole-time or part-time veterinary inspector pursuant to this section subject to the modification that a local authority shall not enter into the agreement referred to in the said section 85 unless the consent of the Minister has been first obtained.”;

(c) by the substitution in subsections (5) and (6) of “section 85 (as modified by subsection (4) of this section) of the Local Government Act, 2001,” for “section 59 (as modified by subsection (4) of this section) of the Local Government Act, 1955,”.

Section 247

Additional amendments to Planning and Development Act, 2000.

247

247.—In addition to amendments to the Act of 2000 provided for in Schedule 4 (which relate to amendments that are minor and consequential to this Act), the Act of 2000 is further amended—

(a) by the deletion in paragraph (a) of section 12(1) of “any town commissioners and city and county development boards within the area,”,

(b) in section 106(3)—

(i) by the substitution in paragraph (a) of “6 additional members” for “5 additional members”, and

(ii) by the substitution in paragraph (b) of “more than 6 but not more than 12 additional members” for “more than 5 but not more than 10 additional members”,

(c) in section 134, by the insertion of the following after subsection (4):

“(5) (a) Subject to section 218, where the Board considers it necessary or expedient for the purposes of making a determination in respect of any of its functions under this Act or any other enactment, it may, in its absolute discretion, hold an oral hearing and shall, in addition to any other requirements under this Act or other enactment, as appropriate, consider the report and any recommendations of the person holding the oral hearing before making such determination.

(b) Section 135 shall apply to any oral hearing held in accordance with paragraph (a) and that section shall be construed accordingly.”,

(d) by the substitution in section 141 of “Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997” for “Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973” in each place where it occurs,

(e) in section 156(1)—

(i) by the substitution of “section” for “sections”, and

(ii) by the substitution of “239 or 247” for “239 and 247”,

(f) by the substitution in section 162(3) of “application for permission for retention of unauthorised development” for “application for retention of permission”,

(g) by the substitution in section 175(10)(e) of “the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992” for “this Act”,

(h) by the deletion of paragraph (c) of section 179(1),

(i) by the insertion in section 211(4) after “properly applied” of “, or for such purposes as may be approved by the Minister whether generally or in relation to specified cases or circumstances”,

(j) in section 214(2)(f)—

(i) by the substitution in subparagraph (i) of “and 80” for “,80 and 85”, and

(ii) by the deletion of subparagraph (ii),

(k) in section 221, by the insertion of the following after subsection (8):

“(9) The Minister may by regulations provide for such additional, incidental, consequential or supplemental matters as regards procedure in respect of the functions transferred to the Board under section 214 or 215 as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient.”,

(l) by the substitution of the following for section 249(2)—

“(2) Where any provision of this Act, or of any regulations made thereunder, requires notice to be given to any person who has made representations, submissions or observations to a planning authority or the Board, the planning authority or the Board may dispense with that requirement where—

(a) a large number of representations, submissions or observations are made as part of an organised campaign, or

(b) it is not possible to readily ascertain the full name and address of those persons who made the representations, submissions or observations,

provided that the authority or the Board uses some other means of giving notice to the public that the authority or the Board is satisfied can adequately draw the attention of the public to that notice including, in the case of an organised campaign referred to in paragraph (a), giving notice to any person who, in the opinion of the planning authority or the Board, organised the campaign.”,

and

(m) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 20 of the Fourth Schedule:

“20A. The proposed development would not be consistent with a planning scheme in force in respect of a strategic development zone.”.

Schedule 1

SCHEDULE 1

Acts included in collective citation — Local Government Acts, 1925 to 2001

Number and Year

Short Title

No. 5 of 1925

Local Government Act, 1925

No. 3 of 1927

Local Government Act, 1927

No. 23 of 1941

Local Government Act, 1941

No. 24 of 1946

Local Government Act, 1946

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

No. 40 of 1960

Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960

No. 2 of 1968

Local Government (Buncrana) Act, 1968

No. 15 of 1971

Local Government (Rateability of Rents) (Abolition) Act, 1971

No. 35 of 1978

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

No. 10 of 1983

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1983

No. 21 of 1983

Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983

No. 7 of 1985

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985

No. 11 of 1991

Local Government Act, 1991

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act, 1994

No. 29 of 1997

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997

No. 16 of 1998

Local Government Act, 1998

No. 6 of 2000

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 2000

Schedule 2

SCHEDULE 2

Construction of Certain Terms in Other Enactments

Expression used in other enactment

Construction by reference to Local Government Act, 2001

1

2

“county borough”

City.

“administrative county”

F290[County, and where the other enactment concerned so requires, also includes a reference to a city or to a city and county.]

“borough” (not being a county borough)

Borough mentioned in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 6.

“urban district”

Town mentioned in Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 6.

“town having town commissioners”

Town mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 6.

“county health district”

County exclusive of any towns mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 6; but subject to section 83.

“local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941

A county council, city council, town council, and where the context so requires includes a joint body.

“county council” or “council of a county”

County council.

“county borough corporation”

City council.

“borough corporation” (not being a county borough corporation)

Borough council of a borough mentioned in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 6.

“urban district council” or “council of an urban district”

Town council of a town mentioned in Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 6.

“town commissioners” or “commissioners of a town”

Town council of a town mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 6.

Annotations

Amendments:

F290

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 179, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Schedule 3

SCHEDULE 3

Enactments Repealed and Revoked

Sch. 3, Part 1

PART 1

Acts Repealed

Session and Chapter or Number and Year

Short Title

Extent of Repeal

1

2

3

6 & 7 Will. 4 c. 116

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836

Sections 35, 43, 44, 46, 54, 58, 66 to 68, 78, 82, 86, 108, 126 and 178 to 180 and Schedule (R).

3 & 4 Vict. c. 108

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840

The whole Act.

3 & 4 Vict. c. 109

Counties and Boroughs (Ireland) Act, 1840

The whole Act.

6 & 7 Vict. c. 93

Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1843

The whole Act.

7 & 8 Vict. c. 106

County Dublin Grand Jury Act, 1844

Sections 40 and 110.

10 & 11 Vict. c. 16

Commissioners Clauses Act, 1847

The whole Act.

10 & 11 Vict. c. 34

Towns Improvement Clauses Act, 1847

The whole Act.

16 & 17 Vict. c. 136

Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1853

Section 9.

17 & 18 Vict. c. 103

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854

The whole Act.

23 & 24 Vict. c. 16

Municipal Corporations Mortgages etc. Act, 1860

The whole Act.

30 & 31 Vict. c. 46

County Treasurers (Ireland) Act, 1867

The whole Act.

34 & 35 Vict. c. 109

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871

Sections 18, 24, 25 and 30.

35 & 36 Vict. c. 69

Local Government Board (Ireland) Act, 1872

Section 12.

41 & 42 Vict. c. 52

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878

Sections 7, 200, 201 and 277.

45 & 46 Vict. c. 50

Municipal Corporations Act, 1882

The whole Act.

47 & 48 Vict. c. 70

Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884

The whole Act.

53 & 54 Vict. c. 59

Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890

Section 38.

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

Sections 1, 4, 6(b), 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 21 to 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 40, 41, 48 to 50, 58, 59, 68, 72, 77, 78, 81 to 84, 86, 100 and 108 and the Second and Third Schedules.

63 & 64 Vict. c. 63

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1900

Section 9.

2 Edw. 7. c. 38

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902

Sections 6, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.

9 Edw. 7. c. 47

Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909

The whole Act.

No. 13 of 1924

Local Government (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 1924

The whole Act.

No. 5 of 1925

Local Government Act, 1925

Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 16, 58, 64, 70, 73, 74, 81, 86 and 87 and the First Schedule.

No. 1 of 1929

Cork City Management Act, 1929

The whole Act.

No. 27 of 1930

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930

Sections 7, 17 to 19, 30, 31, 37 to 41, 45, 51, 53 to 57, 59 to 62, 67, 80, 95 and 103 and the First Schedule.

No. 35 of 1934

Limerick City Management Act, 1934

Sections 2 to 5, 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19, 21 to 24, 31 to 34, 39, 40 and the First Schedule.

No. 44 of 1934

Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1934

The whole Act.

No. 55 of 1936

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1936

Sections 2, 3 and 6.

No. 3 (Private) 1937

Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937

The whole Act.

No. 13 of 1937

Local Authorities (Electrical Employees) Act, 1937

The whole Act.

No. 36 of 1937

Local Government (Nomination of Presidential Candidates) Act, 1937

The whole Act.

No. 25 of 1939

Waterford City Management Act, 1939

Sections 2 to 4, 8, 10 to 13, 15 to 18, 20 to 23, 30 to 32 and 37 to 39.

No. 12 of 1940

County Management Act, 1940

The whole Act.

No. 22 of 1940

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) Act, 1940

The whole Act.

No. 34 of 1940

Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1940

The whole Act.

No. 5 of 1941

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1941

Sections 7, 8, 10 to 12, 14, 15, 22, 23 and 26.

No. 15 of 1941

Local Officers and Servants (Dublin) Act, 1941

The whole Act.

No. 23 of 1941

Local Government Act, 1941

Parts II, III and IV (in so far as they are not already repealed), sections 67 to 69, Part VIII (in so far as it is not already repealed) and sections 76 to 78, 83 to 86 and 90.

No. 13 of 1942

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1942

The whole Act.

No. 8 of 1945

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 13 of 1945

Local Authorities (Cost of Living) (Amendment) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 30 of 1945

Local Authorities (Acceptance of Gifts) Act, 1945

The whole Act.

No. 24 of 1946

Local Government Act, 1946

Sections 7 to 9, 15 to 17, 22, 25 to 27, 34, Part III (in so far as it is not already repealed) and Part IV and sections 62 to 66, 70, 71, 73, 76 to 79, 80 to 83, 88 to 93, 95 and 98.

No. 3 of 1948

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948

Sections 30, 41 and 42(2) and the Second, Third and Fourth Schedules.

No. 24 of 1950

Limerick City Management Act, 1950

The whole Act.

No. 9 of 1955

Local Government Act, 1955

Chapter 1 of Part II other than section 24(2), sections 31 to 33, 40, 41, 48, 51, 53, 54, 58 to 65 and Part 1 of the Second Schedule.

No. 12 of 1955

City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955

The whole Act.

No. 9 of 1958

Local Government Act, 1958

The whole Act.

No. 10 of 1959

Local Government Act, 1959

The whole Act.

No. 40 of 1960

Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960

Part II and sections 11 and 12.

No. 3 of 1962

Road Fund (Grants) (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1962

The whole Act.

No. 8 of 1965

Cork City Management (Amendment) Act, 1965

The whole Act.

No. 21 of 1966

Housing Act, 1966

Sections 85, 87, 88 and 108.

No. 6 of 1968

Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968

The whole Act.

No. 32 of 1972

County Management (Amendment) Act, 1972

The whole Act.

No. 8 of 1974

Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974

Section 25.

No. 35 of 1978

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

Sections 11 to 13 and 14.

No. 21 of 1983

Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983

Section 9.

No. 7 of 1985

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985

Sections 5 to 7, Part III (in so far as it is not already repealed) and sections 19 to 23, 25 and 27 and the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules.

No. 3 of 1986

Canals Act, 1986

Section 15.

No. 28 of 1988

Housing Act, 1988

Section 27.

No. 11 of 1991

Local Government Act, 1991

Parts II to VI F291[(other than Part V)] and sections 41, 42 and 46 to 54.

No. 31 of 1993

Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1993

Part II and sections 39 and 40.

No. 8 of 1994

Local Government Act, 1994

Parts II to VII, sections 44, 46 and Parts IX and X, sections 61 and 63 to 67 and the Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules.

No. 12 of 1997

Litter Pollution Act, 1997

Subsections (1) and (2) of section 35.

No. 29 of 1997

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997

Sections 8, 13 and 16.

No. 16 of 1998

Local Government Act, 1998.

Sections 9 and 10.

No. 25 of 2000

Local Government Act, 2000

The whole Act.

Annotations

Amendments:

F291

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 20(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Sch. 3, Part 2

PART 2

Orders Revoked

Section 5(2).

Year and Number

Short Title

Extent of Revocation

1

2

3

1898 No. 1120

Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898

The whole Order.

1899 No. 44

Local Government (Adaptation of Irish Enactments) Order, 1899

Articles 4 to 7, 13, 15 to 17, 19 to 36 and 42 to 45.

Schedule 4

SCHEDULE 4

Minor and Consequential Amendments to Acts

Session and Chapter or Number and Year

Short Title

Nature of Amendment

1

2

3

61 & 62 Vict. c. 37

Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

In subsection (10) of section 54, in the final sentence, delete the words “and the said secretary shall be entitled to such payment for each certificate”.

No. 35 of 1978

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978

In subsection (1) of section 10, substitute “required in accordance with section 102(3) of the Local Government Act, 2001,” for “required by section 9(1) of the Act of 1955”.

In subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b)(ii) of section 10, substitute “section 103(7)(b)(i) of the Local Government Act, 2001,” for “section 10(4)(c) of the Act of 1955”.

In subsection (3)(b)(i) of section 10, substitute “section 101(1) of the Local Government Act, 2001” for “section 26(1) of the Local Government Act, 1946”.

No. 29 of 1997

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997

In subsection (1) of section 1, in the definition of “local government auditor” substitute “referred to in section 116 of the Local Government Act, 2001;” for “referred to in section 68(2) of the Local Government Act, 1941;”.

No. 33 of 1998

Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998

In section 24, substitute “under subsections (4) and (5) of section 138 of the Local Government Act, 2001,” for “under section 2(9) of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, (as amended by section 27 of the Act of 1988)”.

No. 30 of 2000

Planning and Development Act, 2000

In subsection (6)(c) and (7) of section 34, substitute “section 140 of the Local Government Act, 2001” for “section 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955” and in paragraph (a) of the said subsection (7), substitute “subsection (3)” for “subsection (2)”.

In section 179(5), substitute “Sections 138, 139 and 140 of the Local Government Act, 2001,” for “Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955”.

Schedule 5

SCHEDULE 5

Local Government Areas

Sch. 5, Part 1

PART 1

Counties

Chapter 1

Names of Counties and of Local Authorities in the Irish Language

Name of County

Name of Local Authority of County

1

2

Ceatharlach

Comhairle Contae Cheatharlach

An Cabhán

Comhairle Contae an Chabháin

An Clár

Comhairle Contae an Chláir

Corcaigh

Comhairle Contae Chorcaí

Dún na nGall

Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall

Dún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin

Comhairle Contae Dhún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin

Fine Gall

Comhairle Contae Fhine Gall

Gaillimh

Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe

Ciarraí

Comhairle Contae Chiarraí

Cill Dara

Comhairle Contae Chill Dara

Cill Chainnigh

Comhairle Contae Chill Chainnigh

Laois

Comhairle Contae Laoise

Liatroim

Comhairle Contae Liatroma

An Longfort

Comhairle Contae an Longfoirt

Lú

Comhairle Contae Lú

Maigh Eo

Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo

An Mhí

Comhairle Contae na Mí

Muineachán

Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin

Tiobraid Árann

Comhairle Contae Thiobraid Árann

Uíbh Fhailí

Comhairle Contae Uíbh Fhailí

Ros Comáin

Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin

Sligeach

Comhairle Contae Shligigh

Baile Átha Cliath Theas

Comhairle Contae Baile Átha Cliath Theas

An Iarmhí

Comhairle Contae na hIarmhí

Loch Garman

Comhairle Contae Loch Garman

Cill Mhantáin

Comhairle Contae Chill Mhantáin

Chapter 2

Names of Counties and of Local Authorities in the English Language

Name of County

Name of Local Authority of County

1

2

Carlow

Carlow County Council

Cavan

Cavan County Council

Clare

Clare County Council

Cork

Cork County Council

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Fingal

Fingal County Council

Galway

Galway County Council

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Kildare

Kildare County Council

Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Council

Laois

Laois County Council

Leitrim

Leitrim County Council

Longford

Longford County Council

Louth

Louth County Council

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Meath

Meath County Council

Monaghan

Monaghan County Council

Offaly

Offaly County Council

Roscommon

Roscommon County Council

Sligo

Sligo County Council

South Dublin

South Dublin County Council

Tipperary

Tipperary County Council

Westmeath

Westmeath County Council

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Wicklow

Wicklow County Council]

Annotations

Amendments:

F292

Schedule substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C65

Alternate commencement date for amendments to local government areas by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(a), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

(a) the local government areas provided for by section 10 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 12,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Sch. 5, Part 2

F293[PART 2

Cities

Chapter 1

Names of Cities and of Local Authorities in the Irish Language

Name of City

Name of Local Authority of City

1

2

Corcaigh

Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí

Baile Átha Cliath

Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath

Gaillimh

Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe

Chapter 2

Names of Cities and of Local Authorities in the English Language

Name of City

Name of Local Authority of City

1

2

Cork

Cork City Council

Dublin

Dublin City Council

Galway

Galway City Council]

Annotations

Amendments:

F293

Schedule substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C66

Alternate commencement date for amendments to local government areas by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(a), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

(a) the local government areas provided for by section 10 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 12,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Sch. 5, Part 3

F294[PART 3

Cities and Counties

Chapter 1

Names of Cities and Counties in the Irish Language and Names of Local Authorities

Name of City and County

Name of Local Authority of City and County

1

2

Luimneach

Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh

Port Láirge

Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge

Chapter 2

Names of Cities and Counties in the English Language and Names of Local Authorities

Name of City and County

Name of Local Authority of City and County

1

2

Limerick

Limerick City and County Council

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council]

Annotations

Amendments:

F294

Schedule substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C67

Alternate commencement date for amendments to local government areas by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 12, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(a), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

(a) the local government areas provided for by section 10 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 12,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Schedule 6

SCHEDULE 6

Local Government Areas (Towns)

F295[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F295

Deleted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1 ref. 180, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E330

Previous affecting provision: functions transferred as respects Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009), ss. 20 and 21 from“council” of each town mentioned in Part 2 of sch. 6 to the “county council” (1.04.2011) by Housing (Transfer of Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 85 of 2011), art. 3, in effect as per art. 2; schedule deleted as per F-note above.

Schedule 7

SCHEDULE 7

Number of Members of Local Authorities

Sch. 7, Part 1

PART 1

County Council Number of Members

County Council

Number of Members

Carlow

18

Cavan

18

Clare

28

Cork

55

Donegal

37

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

40

Fingal

40

Galway

39

Kerry

33

Kildare

40

Kilkenny

24

Laois

19

Leitrim

18

Longford

18

Louth

29

Mayo

30

Meath

40

Monaghan

18

Offaly

19

Roscommon

18

Sligo

18

South Dublin

40

Tipperary

40

Westmeath

20

Wexford

34

Wicklow

32]

Annotations

Amendments:

F296

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C68

Alternate commencement date for amendments to numbers of local authorities by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(c), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities—

...

(c) the numbers of members of local authorities provided for in section 21 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 15,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Sch. 7, Part 2

F297[PART 2

City Council

Number of Members

Cork

31

Dublin

63

Galway

18]

Annotations

Amendments:

F297

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C69

Alternate commencement date for amendments to numbers of local authorities by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(c), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(c) the numbers of members of local authorities provided for in section 21 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 15,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Sch. 7, Part 3

F298[PART 3

City and County Council

Number of Members

Limerick

40

Waterford

32]

Annotations

Amendments:

F298

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15(b), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Modifications (not altering text):

C70

Alternate commencement date for amendments to numbers of local authorities by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 15, prescribed (27.01.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 28(1)(c), commenced as per s. 28(5).

Elections to local authorities in 2014

28. (1) For the purpose of holding in 2014 elections of members of local authorities— ...

(c) the numbers of members of local authorities provided for in section 21 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Principal Act shall have effect as amended by section 15,

...

(5) This section has effect upon the passing of this Act.

Schedule 8

F299[SCHEDULE 8

Alternative Titles to Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, etc.

1. A local authority which is a city and county council may by resolution give to the office of its Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach the following titles:

(a) in the Irish language the title of "Méara" or "Leas- Mhéara", respectively, and

(b) in the English language, the title of "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", respectively.

2. Where titles are given in accordance with paragraph 1, the holders of the offices shall, as appropriate, be styled, in the Irish language "Méara Cathair agus Chontae....…" and "Leas-Mhéara Cathair agus Chontae....…" followed by the name of the city and county in Irish, and in the English language "Mayor of the City and County of....…" and "Deputy Mayor of the City and County of....…" followed by the name of the city and county in English.

3. A local authority which has by resolution under paragraph 1 given the titles provided in that paragraph may revert by resolution to the titles of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach provided for in section 31 and which shall be styled in accordance with that section.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F299

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 37(2), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Schedule 9

SCHEDULE 9

Minor and Consequential Amendments relating to Direct Elections, etc.

F300[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F300

Repealed (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 7(d), commenced on enactment.

Schedule 10

SCHEDULE 10

Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

Local authority meetings.

1.—(1) In every year a local authority shall hold—

(a) an annual meeting as provided for in paragraph 3,

(b) a local authority budget meeting as referred to in paragraph 5,

(c) such other meetings as are necessary for the transaction of its business, which meetings are in this Act referred to as ordinary meetings.

(2) In addition, a local authority may hold such special meetings as may be requisitioned by virtue of paragraph 6 or section 140 or as may be decided by resolution.

(3) This Schedule shall as regards a special meeting convened for the purposes of section 34 or 146 be read subject to and in accordance with the requirements of the relevant section.

Place, date and time of meetings.

2.—(1) A local authority shall provide or arrange for the provision of accommodation for the holding of meetings.

(2) In so far as practicable, the place for holding of meetings is the principal offices of the authority and meetings shall normally be held at such place.

(3) Subject to this Act, meetings shall be held on such days and at such times as the local authority shall by resolution appoint or shall fix by standing orders.

(4) In so far as practicable, a local authority shall fix a regular schedule for the holding of ordinary meetings, which may be set out in standing orders or appointed by resolution.

(5) Subject to this paragraph, different days, times and places (whether within or without the administrative area of the authority) may be appointed from time to time by resolution or fixed by standing orders for different meetings.

Day of annual meeting.

3.—F301[(1) In every year in which a local election is held, the annual meeting of a local authority shall be held on the fourteenth day after the polling day or, where the poll is for any reason countermanded, interrupted or adjourned, after the day on which the poll is completed or the fresh poll is held.

(2) Where the fourteenth day referred to in subparagraph (1) is an excluded day, the meeting shall be held on the next following day which is not an excluded day.]

(3) In every other year, the local authority shall hold an annual meeting on such day, in the month of May or June, as the local authority shall by resolution appoint or fix by standing orders.

(4) Whenever an annual meeting of a local authority is for any reason not held on the day appointed or fixed by or by virtue of this paragraph for the holding of such meeting, the meetings administrator shall, following consultation, if practicable, with the Cathaoirleach, or if the office of the Cathaoirleach is vacant or the Cathaoirleach is unable to act, with the Leas-Chathaoirleach, convene a meeting of the local authority for a convenient hour on the day which appears to such administrator to be the earliest convenient date for that purpose and a meeting so held shall be deemed for all purposes to be an annual meeting held on the day appointed under subparagraph (1), (2) or (3) as appropriate.

Business and public notice of annual meeting.

4.—(1) At an annual meeting in an election year the meetings administrator shall read out the names of the persons duly elected as members of the local authority F302[].

(2) Subject to subparagraph (1), the election of a Cathaoirleach in accordance with sections 36 and 37 is to be the first business at an annual meeting F302[].

(3) Where the Cathaoirleach is elected in accordance with sections 36 and 37 the next business shall be the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

F301[(4) In the case of the annual meeting of a local authority in an election year the business to be transacted shall, subject to this paragraph, include

(a) the consideration of the election, appointment or nomination of members of joint bodies or other bodies elected, appointed or nominated by such local authority, and

(b) fixing the day or days for the first meetings of the municipal district members for each of the municipal districts within the functional area of the local authority, so long as the day or days so fixed shall not be later than 10 days after that annual meeting of the local authority and not be an excluded day.]

(5) Every member of a joint body who has been elected, appointed or nominated by a local authority and is in office as such member at the date of an election to such local authority shall continue to hold office as such member of such joint body until his or her successor is appointed unless he or she sooner dies, resigns, is disqualified, removed from office or otherwise ceases to be a member of the local authority or a member of the joint body, as the case may be, other than by way of reaching the ordinary day of retirement of members of a local authority.

(6)(a) In an election year a local authority shall publish a notice of its annual meeting in at least one newspaper circulating in its administrative area which—

(i) states the date of the annual meeting and F302[] that the first business of the meeting will be the election of the Cathaoirleach, and

(ii) specifies the joint bodies and other bodies to which the local authority is entitled to make appointments at that meeting or subsequently.

(b) In this paragraph “appointments” includes—

(i) appointments of members of the local authority, whether by virtue of holding a particular office or by way of nomination, election or otherwise, and

(ii) appointments of persons who are not members of the local authority.

(7)(a) The notice under subparagraph (6)(a) of the annual meeting shall be in a form and published within a period, prescribed by the Minister by regulations.

(b) Regulations under this subparagraph may also provide for the publication by a local authority of a subsequent public notice within such period as may be specified, listing the appointments made by it to joint bodies or other bodies referred to in subparagraph (6)(a), or indicating that such a list may be inspected at the principal offices of the local authority.

(c) Failure by a local authority to publish a notice of the annual meeting as required by this paragraph or to publish it with any omission or error in it does not invalidate any meeting of the local authority or any appointment made or other thing done at the meeting.

Local authority budget meeting.

F301[5. A local authority shall hold its budget meeting in accordance with section 103 within the period directed by the Minister for the purposes of that section.]

Special meetings.

6.—(1) A requisition to have a special meeting of a local authority convened (in this paragraph referred to as a “requisition”) may be made—

(a) by the Cathaoirleach,

(b) if the office of Cathaoirleach is vacant, or the Cathaoirleach is unable to act, by the Leas-Chathaoirleach, or

(c) by the Cathaoirleach on foot of a request presented to him or her by any 5 members.

(2) Where the Cathaoirleach refuses or neglects to act on foot of a request referred to in subparagraph (1)(c) within 7 days of it being presented to him or her, the members making the request may convene the meeting in accordance with this paragraph.

(3) A requisition shall be made in writing and be delivered by the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach or in a case where subparagraph (2) applies by the members making the requisition, as the case may be, to the meetings administrator.

(4) A requisition shall be signed by the person or persons making it, as the case may be, and shall—

(a) contain as an agenda a statement of the business which it is proposed to transact at the meeting, and

(b) specify a day, (other than an excluded day), which is not less than 3 clear days after the day on which it is received by the meetings administrator, for the holding of the meeting.

(5) On receipt of a requisition, the meetings administrator shall, unless it is a case to which subparagraph (6) applies, issue a notification under paragraph 7 and give public notice under paragraph 8 for the special meeting required by the requisition.

(6) Where—

(a) a requisition under subparagraph (1)(c) specifies a day for the holding of a special meeting, and

(b) an ordinary meeting of the local authority is to be held on a day within the period of 10 days after the day on which the meetings administrator receives the requisition.

the business stated in the requisition shall be considered at that ordinary meeting and the special meeting shall not be convened.

Notification of meeting and agenda.

7.—(1) A notification to attend a meeting, other than a local authority budget meeting, shall—

(a) be sent or delivered to each member of the local authority concerned,

(b) specify the place, date and time of the meeting, and

(c) give not less than 3 clear days notice of the meeting.

(2) Paragraph 5 applies to a local authority budget meeting.

(3) In the case of a meeting requisitioned under section 140 or convened under section 34 or 146 the relevant section applies in relation to such meeting.

(4)(a) A notification shall include or be accompanied by an agenda listing the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting.

(b) An agenda which has been sent or delivered for the purposes of subparagraph (1) may be altered (whether by way of addition, deletion or otherwise) if an agenda paper specifying the alteration is delivered or sent to each member not less than 3 clear days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.

(5) In the case of a special meeting convened under paragraph 6, a copy of the requisition shall be sent with the notification.

(6) Subject to subparagraph (7), a notification shall have the signature of the meetings administrator and any document claiming to have that signature shall be deemed, until the contrary is proved, to have been duly issued or given with the authority of the local authority.

(7) Non-receipt of a notification by any member or lack of a signature or any other defect in the notification does not affect the validity of a meeting or of any act or thing done at the meeting.

(8) For the purposes of this paragraph “signature” includes a facsimile of a signature by whatever process reproduced or a printed version, whether original or facsimile, of the name of the meetings administrator and a printed version of that name, whether original or facsimile, shall be deemed to have been duly placed on the document by or with the consent of the meetings administrator until the contrary is proved.

(9) The meetings administrator shall, where practicable, advise the Cathaoirleach as regards the business of a meeting.

Public notice of meetings.

8.—(1)(a) Notice of the place, date, and time of a meeting other than a local authority budget meeting shall be displayed not less than 3 clear days before the day of the meeting in or at the principal offices of the local authority in a position convenient for public inspection during normal office hours.

(b) A notice referred to in clause (a) shall include the agenda for the meeting or shall specify a place where the agenda can be inspected and in the case of a meeting requisitioned under paragraph 6 or under section 140 the agenda shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the requisition.

(c) Paragraph 5 applies in the case of a local authority budget meeting.

(2)(a) On request, a local authority shall supply a copy of a public notice and agenda to any person seeking such copy.

(b) A local authority may make arrangements for the supply to the media of copies of a public notice and agenda referred to in clause (a).

(c) A local authority may charge such fee, if any, as it may fix for the supply of the copy of the public notice and agenda but no fee shall exceed the reasonable cost of providing the copy.

(3) By resolution or standing orders, a local authority may make such additional arrangements for the giving of public notice of meetings, including display of notice at additional locations, including but not limited to public libraries, or publication in a newspaper, electronically or otherwise, as it considers appropriate.

(4) Failure to display or to supply a copy of a notice by virtue of this paragraph does not affect the validity of a meeting or of any act or thing done at the meeting.

Business of meeting.

9.—Subject to paragraph 16, no business shall be transacted at a meeting other than that specified in the agenda which relates to the meeting or business required by this Act or otherwise by law to be transacted at the meeting.

Chairing of meetings.

10.—(1) If present at a meeting, the Cathaoirleach shall chair it.

(2) If and for so long as the Cathaoirleach is not present, or the office of Cathaoirleach is vacant, the Leas-Chathaoirleach shall chair the meeting if he or she is present but shall leave the chair on the arrival at the meeting of the Cathaoirleach or, in the case of a meeting to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach in accordance with section 38 or F302[], following the election of a Cathaoirleach at that meeting.

(3) In any other case, the meeting shall proceed to the election of one of the members present to chair the meeting and such member shall leave the chair on the arrival at the meeting of the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

(4) It is the duty of a Cathaoirleach, Leas-Chathaoirleach or any other member who is required in accordance with this paragraph to chair a meeting to take the chair and to proceed with the business of the meeting.

(5) The procedure for the chairing of an annual meeting in an election year until the election of a Cathaoirleach at such meeting by virtue of section 36 shall be specified in standing orders and may include provision, subject to subparagraph (6), for the taking of the chair for this period by a member or by an employee of the local authority concerned.

(6) Any member selected to chair an annual meeting under subparagraph (5) shall not have a second or casting vote and the employee of the local authority, if so selected in accordance with that subparagraph, shall not have any vote.

Quorum.

11.—(1) The quorum for a meeting of a local authority is one-fourth of the total number of members of the local authority plus one or, where one-fourth of such total number is not a whole number, the quorum is the next highest whole number plus one.

(2) Whenever a meeting of a local authority is abandoned owing to failure to obtain a quorum, the names of those members present at the time and place appointed for such meeting shall be recorded by the meetings administrator and they shall for all purposes be deemed to have attended a duly constituted meeting.

Doing of acts and determination of questions.

12.—(1) Each member present at a meeting of a local authority shall have a vote unless prohibited from voting by this or any other enactment.

(2) All acts of a local authority which are reserved functions or questions duly coming or arising before a meeting of a local authority shall be determined—

(a) by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting, or

(b) where there is an equality of votes, by a second or casting vote of the person chairing the meeting (which person shall have and may choose to exercise such a vote).

(3) This paragraph is without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act (including provisions required to be included in standing orders by virtue of paragraph 16) or of any other enactment, requiring either the presence of a specified number or proportion of the members or that a specified number or proportion should vote in favour for the doing of any particular act.

(4) Nothing in this paragraph shall be read as prohibiting a local authority from setting out in standing orders the procedures and methods of voting including when a roll call vote is to be taken.

Disorderly conduct.

13.—(1) If—

(a) in the opinion of the person chairing a meeting (in this paragraph referred to as the “chair”), any member has been or is disorderly by persistently disregarding the ruling of the chair, or by behaving irregularly, improperly or offensively, or by otherwise obstructing the business of the meeting, and

(b) the chair has conveyed his or her opinion to the members present by naming the member concerned,

then the chair or any member may move “that the member named leave the meeting” and the motion, if seconded, shall be put and determined without discussion.

(2) Where a local authority decides in accordance with subparagraph (1) that a member leave a meeting, that member shall immediately leave the meeting and shall not be entitled to speak or to take any further part in that meeting on that day.

(3) Where in the opinion of the chair—

(a) there is general disorder which impedes the orderly transaction of business, or

(b) where a member against whom it was resolved that he or she leave the meeting by virtue of this paragraph refuses to do so,

the chair may adjourn the meeting for such period as he or she considers necessary in the interests of order.

F303[(4) Where at a meeting

(a) it has been resolved in accordance with subparagraph (1) that a member leave a meeting and the chair adjourns the meeting under subparagraph (3) because the member refuses to leave, and

(b) it has been resolved by further resolution that the member was the cause of the meeting being so adjourned,

then any remuneration to, and any allowances for expenses incurred, by that member concerned, as provided for by regulations under section 142, shall be reduced for the period of 12 months (irrespective of whether or not a local election is to be held during that period) from the date of the meeting concerned as follows:

(i) on the first occasion of it being resolved that the member refused to so leave, 10 per cent;

(ii) on the next or subsequent occasions of it being so resolved and where paragraph (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) does not apply, 10 per cent;

(iii) on the next occasion of it being so resolved within 3 months of it being resolved in circumstances to which paragraph (i) or (ii) relates, 30 per cent;

(iv) on the next occasion of it being so resolved within 3 months of it being resolved in circumstances to which paragraph (iii) relates, 50 per cent;

(v) on the next occasion of it being so resolved within 3 months of it being resolved in circumstances to which paragraph (iv) relates, 70 per cent;

(vi) on the next occasion of it being so resolved within 3 months of it being resolved in circumstances to which paragraph (v) relates, 90 per cent.

(5)(a) Where at a meeting

(i) the resolutions referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of subparagraph (4) have been resolved, and

(ii) where, following the chair expressing the further opinion that the member has continued to be disorderly by disregarding the ruling of the chair, or by behaving irregularly, improperly or offensively, or by otherwise obstructing the business of the meeting and the chair has conveyed such further opinion to the members present by naming the member concerned, it has been resolved further by at least two-thirds of those present and voting, on a motion moved by the chair or any member (which motion, if seconded, shall have been put and determined without discussion) that for a specified period "the member stand suspended with immediate effect from all meetings of the local authority and any committee of the local authority, and all meetings of municipal district members" and the period so specified is, subject to clause (c), for at least one month but does not exceed 3 months,

then the consequences provided for by subparagraph (4) shall not apply to the member concerned in relation to that suspension except and to the extent provided for by clause (g) in respect of any other suspension.

(b) Having regard to clause (f), the members of the local authority may, at any subsequent meeting during the period specified in the resolution under clause (a) (ii), pass a further resolution lifting the suspension, and the suspension shall be lifted with immediate effect.

(c) If, within a period of 3 months following the ending of a suspension in accordance with clause (a) or (b), further resolutions to which clause (a) relates are proposed to be adopted in respect of that member, then the period provided for in a resolution under clause (a) (ii) shall be at least 3 months but shall not exceed 6 months.

(d) Having regard to clause (f), a suspension under this subparagraph shall cease to have effect on the ordinary day of retirement.

(e) Where a resolution under clause (a) suspending a member has been passed, the member concerned shall not be entitled to attend, speak at or take any part in any meetings of the local authority and any committee of the local authority, and any meetings of municipal district members, and notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 6 and 7, shall not be entitled to present a request to the Cathaoirleach to require a special meeting of the local authority to be convened and shall not be entitled to receive any services in respect of meetings of the local authority or any committee of the local authority, or meetings of municipal district members, including the agenda and papers circulated to members, for the period specified in the resolution while it remains in force.

(f) No remuneration to, or allowances for expenses incurred, by the member concerned, as provided by regulations under section 142, shall be paid (irrespective of whether a local election is to be held during the period concerned) for the duration of the suspension to which clause (a) or (c) relates. Notwithstanding any lifting of a suspension in accordance with clause (b), or cessation of a suspension in accordance with clause (d), such lifting or cessation shall not have the effect of reducing the period in respect of which remuneration or allowances for expenses incurred are not to be paid as a consequence of the suspension.

(g) The suspension of remuneration or allowances for expenses incurred by virtue of clause (f) shall, during the suspension period specified in the resolution under this paragraph, supersede any reduction in remuneration or allowances for expenses that would, but for this clause, be incurred under subparagraph (4) but shall not affect any such reduction after the suspension period so specified.

(6) The chief executive, following consultation with the Cathaoirleach, may make such provision for the exclusion or, where necessary, the removal from any meeting of the local authority or any committee of the local authority, or meeting of municipal district members, of the member suspended in accordance with subparagraph (1) or (5) as appear necessary to the chief executive.]

Minutes.

14.—(1) Minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of a local authority shall be drawn up by the meetings administrator.

(2) The minutes shall include—

(a) the date, time and place of the meeting,

(b) the names of the members present at the meeting,

(c) a list of the senior employees of the local authority present at the meeting,

(d) reference to any report submitted to the members at the meeting,

(e) where there is a roll call vote, the number and names of members voting for and against the motion and of those abstaining,

(f) particulars of all resolutions passed at the meeting, and

(g) such other matters considered appropriate.

(3) A copy of the minutes of a meeting shall be sent or given by the meetings administrator to each member of the local authority.

(4) Minutes of a meeting shall be submitted for confirmation as an accurate record at the next following ordinary meeting, where practicable, or where not, at the next following meeting and recorded in the minutes of that meeting.

(5) When confirmed, with or without amendment, the minutes of a meeting shall be signed by the person chairing the meeting they were submitted to for confirmation and any minutes claiming to be so signed shall be received in evidence without proof.

(6) Until the contrary is proved, every meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes have been confirmed shall be deemed to have been duly convened and held and all the members at the meeting shall be deemed to be duly qualified.

(7) A copy of the minutes of a meeting when confirmed in accordance with subparagraph (5) shall be open to inspection at the principal offices of the local authority and any person may inspect and make a copy of, or abstract from, the minutes during the usual office hours of the authority.

(8) A copy of the minutes shall be provided to any person applying for them on payment of such reasonable sum, if any, being a sum not exceeding the reasonable cost of supplying the copy, as may be fixed by the local authority.

(9) Each local authority shall make proper arrangements for the safe keeping of the minutes of the authority.

Record of attendance at meetings and address for correspondence.

15.—(1) Each local authority is responsible for the maintenance of a record of attendance at its meetings.

(2) The attendance of each member present at a meeting shall be entered by that member in a record kept for that purpose by the local authority.

(3) Where any provision of this Act provides for the delivery or sending of a document to a member such document shall be sent to the address supplied in writing by the member.

(4) Where any provision of this Act provides for the delivery or sending of a notice to the F301[chief executive], meetings administrator or to the principal offices of a local authority such notice shall be sent or delivered to the address of such office of the local authority as shall be fixed for that purpose by the F301[chief executive] and such address shall be included in the standing orders of the local authority.

Standing orders.

16.—(1) (a) A local authority shall, subject to this Act and by resolution for which at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority vote in favour, make standing orders for the regulation of its meetings and proceedings.

(b) A local authority may include in standing orders all such incidental, consequential or supplementary provisions as may appear to the local authority to be appropriate for that purpose.

(c) A local authority shall in making standing orders comply with section 19(3)(c).

(2) A local authority may, by resolution for which at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority vote in favour, amend or revoke standing orders and make new standing orders.

(3)(a) A copy of standing orders shall be sent or delivered by the meetings administrator to each member on his or her coming into office, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and as soon as may be practicable after new standing orders have been made.

(b) A copy of any amendment to standing orders shall likewise be supplied to each member.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subparagraph (1), a local authority shall include in standing orders provisions for the following:

(a) a schedule of ordinary meetings;

(b) commencement, adjournment and termination of meetings;

(c) the chairing of an annual meeting in an election year where the Cathaoirleach falls to be elected in accordance with section 36;

(d) the revocation of resolutions subject to a requirement that such number of members as is specified in standing orders, which shall be at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority, vote in favour and subject to such other requirements as may be so specified;

(e) dealing with urgent business related to a function of the local authority, subject to a requirement that such number of members as is specified in standing orders, which shall be at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority, vote in favour and subject to such other requirements as may be so specified;

(f) the procedures to be followed for the doing of acts and the determination of questions, including the procedures and methods of voting and when a roll call vote is to be taken;

(g) the suspension of any provision of standing orders other than those to which clauses (d), (e) and (f) relate and subject to a requirement that at least two-thirds of the members present vote in favour and to such other requirements as may be specified in standing orders;

(h) the address for the purposes of paragraph 15(4).

(5) The Minister may issue general directions to local authorities in relation to standing orders and the provisions to be included in them.

(6)(a) Subject to this Act and to any other relevant enactment, standing orders of a local authority may include provisions to regulate the proceedings and business of committees established by the authority, as it may consider appropriate.

(b) Subject to clause (a), a committee may regulate its own business and proceedings by way of its own standing orders or otherwise.

Committees.

17.—(1) Paragraphs 12, 13, 14 and 15, and paragraph 16 in so far as it is relevant, apply in relation to a committee of a local authority F301[or, subject to any regulations made under section 44(3), a joint committee] with any necessary modifications.

F303[(1A) In the application under subparagraph (1) of paragraph 13, nothing shall be read as enabling a committee of a local authority or a joint committee passing a resolution to suspend a person other than from the committee or joint committee itself.]

(2) The quorum for a meeting of a committee shall be such as may be fixed by the local authority which established it but in no case shall be less than 3.

Right to form groups for certain appointments.

18.—(1) Where 2 or more persons are to be appointed by a local authority to a body to which this paragraph applies, then—

(a) any group of members who are present at the meeting at the time when the business of making the appointments is reached and comprising the number of members necessary for the purposes of this paragraph may nominate a person to be a member of that body and the person shall be so appointed on that nomination without any vote being taken, and

(b) the members of the body then remaining to be appointed shall be appointed successively by the members of the local authority who are not members of any group referred to in clause (a) and who were present at the meeting at the time when the business of making the appointments was reached.

(2)(a) Subject to clause (b) the number of members necessary to form a group for the purposes of this paragraph shall be obtained by dividing the total number of members present at the meeting of the authority at the time when the business of making the relevant appointments is reached by the number of the appointments to be so made, or, where the number so obtained is not a whole number, the whole number next above the number so obtained.

(b) No member of a local authority shall be a member of more than one group for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) This paragraph applies to the following bodies:

(a) a committee of a local authority;

(b) a joint committee or joint body of one or more local authorities;

(c) F304[an education and training board];

(d) a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946;

(e) a school attendance committee within the meaning of the School Attendance Act, 1926;

(f) a regional authority established by order under section 43 of the Local Government Act, 1991;

(g) a regional tourism organisation;

(h) the General Council of County Councils;

(i) the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland;

(j) a county enterprise board within the meaning of the Industrial Development Act, 1995;

(k) a LEADER group established in the framework of an EU community initiative for rural development;

(l) the Dublin Transportation Office Advisory Committee;

(m) an Area Partnership Board;

(n) such other body or bodies as may be specified by order of the Minister either generally or in respect of one or more specified local authorities.

(4)(a) This paragraph applies to the appointment of—

(i) members of a local authority, and

(ii) other persons who are not members (where such appointment is authorised by or under any enactment),

to a body referred to in subparagraph (3), whether by way of nomination or election.

(b) Clause (a) does not apply as regards the appointment of persons who are not members of a local authority to membership of a strategic policy committee, a municipal policy committee, a local consultative committee, F304[an education and training board] or a school attendance committee.

(5) This paragraph shall not be read so as to make unnecessary for appointment to any office, post or position, the possession of any special knowledge, experience or other qualification the possession of which is required by law for appointment to the office, post or position.

(6) This paragraph shall not be read so as to affect the entry to or tenure of membership of any body, or any other office, held by virtue of being an office holder.

(7) F305[]

Equity in appointments, etc

19.—(1) A local authority shall seek to promote the objective of an appropriate gender balance in the making of appointments by it to bodies to which paragraph 18 applies and to other bodies.

(2) The Minister may issue guidelines as regards the objective referred to in subparagraph (1), and a local authority shall comply with any such guidelines in the making of its appointments to the bodies concerned.

(3) A local authority may by resolution make rules for the purpose of ensuring that appointments made by it to bodies to which paragraph 18 applies and to other bodies are made fairly and equitably, taking account of the various interests represented on the authority and the totality of the appointments to be made to those bodies.

(4) Nothing in this paragraph shall be read as prohibiting the operation of paragraph 18 by any group of members except that any member who voted for a resolution under this paragraph shall not—

(a) form any part of a group by virtue of paragraph 18 in relation to a body to which rules referred to in subparagraph (3) apply, or

(b) vote in accordance with paragraph 18 in relation to an appointment to such body.

Annotations

Amendments:

F301

Substituted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 57(a)-(c), (e)-(f), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F302

Deleted (2.06.2003) by Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003), s. 4 and sch., commenced on enactment.

F303

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 57(d), (g), S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F304

Substituted (1.07.2013) by Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (11/2013), s. 72 and sch. 6 item 37, S.I. No. 211 of 2013.

F305

Repealed (15.06.2004) by Health (Amendment) Act 2004 (19/2004), s. 3 and sch., S.I. 378 of 2004.

Modifications (not altering text):

C71

"Regional authority" construed (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 62(2)(b), S.I. No. 214 of 20214.

Regional assemblies

62. ...

(2) ...

(b) references in any enactment to regional authorities within the meaning of section 43 (as amended by this Act) of the Local Government Act 1991 shall, where the context admits, be read as references to regional assemblies,

...

C72

Application of section extended with modifications (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014), reg. 8(5), in effect as per reg. 3.

Meetings and proceedings.

8. ...

(5) Schedule 10 of the Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the meetings and proceedings of municipal districts and connected matters, with the following modifications:—

(a) as respects paragraph 1:—

(i) as if, in subparagraph (1), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(ii) as if, in subparagraph (1)(b), the reference to “a local authority budget meeting” were a reference to “a meeting to consider the draft budgetary plan”,

(iii) as if, in subparagraph (2), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” as regards meetings requisitioned by virtue of paragraph 6, and the exclusion of special meetings convened for the purposes of section 140, and

(iv) in subparagraph (3), the exclusion of special meetings convened for the purposes of section 146,

(b) as respects paragraph 2 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (2), the reference to “the principal offices of the authority” were a reference to “the offices designated by resolution of the municipal district members”,

(ii) in subparagraph (3), the reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(iii) in subparagraph (4), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(c) as respects paragraph 3 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (3), the reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(ii) in subparagraph (4), the references to “a local authority” and “the local authority were references to “municipal district members”,

(d) as respects paragraph 4:—

(i) subparagraphs (1), (5), (6) and (7) shall not apply, and

(ii) in subparagraph (4):—

(I) as if the reference to “a local authority” and the reference to “local authority” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(II) the exclusion of “joint bodies or other”,

(e) as respects paragraph 5, as if the reference to “a local authority shall hold its budgetary meeting” were a reference to “municipal district members shall hold a meeting to consider the draft budgetary plan”,

(f) as respects paragraph 6 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (1):—

(I) the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(II) the reference to “by any 5 members” were a reference to “by at least one third of the total number of municipal district members, subject to a minimum of 3 members, and where one third of the total number of municipal district members is greater than 5, by any 5 members”, and

(ii) in subparagraph (6), the reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(g) as respects paragraph 7:—

(i) as if, in subparagraphs (1) and (2), the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”,

(ii) as if, in subparagraph (1), the reference to “each member of the local authority” were a reference to “each municipal district member”, and

(iii) in subparagraph (3), the exclusion of special meetings convened for the purposes of sections 140 and 146,

(h) as respects paragraph 8 as if:—

(i) the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(ii) in subparagraph (1)(a), the reference to “at the principal offices of the local authority” were a reference to “at the normal place of meeting of the municipal district members and at the principal offices of the local authority, if different”,

(i) as respects paragraph 11 as if:—

(i) the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”, and

(ii) in subparagraph (1), the reference to “members of the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(j) as respects paragraph 12, as if the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”,

(k) as respects paragraph 13:—

(i) as if, in subparagraph (2), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(ii) as if, in subparagraph (4):—

(I) the word “where” were deleted,

(II) in clause (a), the reference to “it has been resolved” were a reference to “it may be resolved” and the reference to “adjourns” were to “may adjourn”,

(III) in clause (b), the reference to “it has been resolved” were a reference to “it may be resolved”, and

(IV) all text from “then any remuneration” to the end were deleted,

(iii) as if, in subparagraph (5)(a)(ii):—

(I) the reference to “it has been resolved further” were a reference to “it may be resolved”,

(II) the reference to “‘the member stand suspended with immediate effect from all meetings of the local authority and any committee of the local authority, and all meetings of municipal district members’” were a reference to “‘the member stand suspended with immediate effect from all meetings of the municipal district members and any committee of the municipal district members’”,

(III) the reference to “does not exceed 3 months” were a reference to “does not exceed 6 weeks”, and

(IV) the deletion of all text from “then the consequences” to the end,

(iv) as if, in subparagraph (5)(b), the reference to “members of the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(v) as if, in subparagraph (5)(c), the reference to “shall be at least 3 months but shall not exceed 6 months” is a reference to “shall be at least 6 weeks but shall not exceed 10 weeks”,

(vi) as if, in subparagraph (5)(e):—

(I) the reference to “take part in any meetings of the local authority and any committee of the local authority, and any meetings of municipal district members” were a reference to “take part in any meetings of the municipal district members and any committee of the municipal district members”,

(II) the reference to “special meeting of the local authority” were a reference to “special meeting of the municipal district members”,

(III) the reference to “services in respect of meetings of the local authority or any committee of the local authority, or meetings of municipal district members” were a reference to “services in respect of meetings of the municipal district members or any committee meeting of municipal district members”,

(IV) with the exclusion of clauses (f) and (g), and

(vii) as if, in subparagraph (6), the reference to “removal from any meeting of the local authority or any committee of the local authority, or meeting of municipal district members” were a reference to “removal from any meeting of the municipal district members or any committee of the municipal district members”,

(l) as respects paragraph 14 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (1), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(ii) in subparagraph (3), the reference to “each member of the local authority” were a reference to “each municipal district member”,

(iii) in subparagraph (7):—

(I) the reference to “at the principal offices of the local authority” were a reference to “at the principal offices of the local authority and the normal place of meeting of the municipal district members”, and

(II) the reference to “during the usual office hours of the authority” were a reference to “during the usual office hours of the authority or during the meeting of the municipal district members, if such meeting is held in a place which is not open during the usual office hours of the authority”,

(iv) in subparagraph (8), the reference to “the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(v) in subparagraph (9), the reference to “each local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “authority” were a reference to “members”,

(m) as respects paragraph 15 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (1), the reference to “each local authority is” were a reference to “municipal district members are” and the reference to “its” is a reference to “their”,

(ii) in subparagraph (2), the reference to “the local authority” were a reference to “the municipal district members”, and

(iii) in subparagraph (4), the final reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(n) as respects paragraph 16 as if:—

(i) in subparagraph (1)(a), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, the reference to “members of the local authority” were a reference to “members”, and the reference to “its meetings” were a reference to “their meetings”,

(ii) in subparagraph (1)(b), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “the local authority” were a reference to “members”,

(iii) in subparagraph (1)(c), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(iv) in subparagraph (2), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “members of the authority” were a reference to “members”,

(v) in subparagraph (4), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(vi) in subparagraph (4)(d), if the reference to “members of the authority” were a reference to “members”,

(vii) in subparagraph (4)(e), the reference to “the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “members of the authority” were a reference to “members”,

(viii) in subparagraph (5), the reference to “local authorities” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(ix) in subparagraph (6)(a), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members” and the reference to “the authority were a reference to “the members”,

(o) as respects paragraph 17:—

(i) in subparagraph (1):—

(I) as if the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”, and

(II) with the exclusion of “or, subject to any regulations made under section 44(3), a joint committee”, and

(ii) as if, in subparagraph (2), the reference to “local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(p) as respects paragraph 18:—

(i) as if, in subparagraph (1), the reference to “a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(ii) as if, in subparagraph (1)(b), the reference to “the members of the local authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(iii) as if, in subparagraph (2)(a), the reference to “the authority” were a reference to “municipal district members”,

(iv) as if, in subparagraph (2)(b), the reference to “member of a local authority” were a reference to “municipal district member”,

(v) in subparagraph (3):—

(I) the exclusion of clauses (b) to (m), and

(II) in clause (n):—

(A) as if the reference to “local authorities” were a reference to “municipal districts”, and

(B) the body or bodies specified for the purposes of this provision shall be a body or bodies of a local nature in or related to the municipal district, or related primarily to the municipal district, and the local authority does not make any appointment to such body or bodies, and

(vi) in subparagraph (4), the exclusion of clause (b), and

(q) as respects paragraph 19, as if the references to “a local authority” were references to “municipal district members”.

Editorial Notes:

E331

Power pursuant to schedule exercised (17.07.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (Meetings) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 66 of 2002).

Schedule 11

SCHEDULE 11

Local Authority Boundary Alteration

Matters for which provision may be made in a supplementary order under section 62(0).

1. The following are the matters referred to in section 62(2):

(a) the functions of any authority concerned in relation to a relevant area;

(b) the inclusion of a relevant area, in any local electoral area or any administrative or geographical district or other division used for any purpose of public administration;

(c) the application or non-application of any enactment to a relevent area;

(d) the continuance of legal proceedings commenced by or against any authority concerned before the making of the primary order concerned where such proceedings relate to any matter, right, duty or liability arising, accrued or incurred in, or relating to, any relevant area;

(e) such modifications, adaptation or amendment of any enactment as may be necessary for the purposes of the primary order;

(f) an adjustment between any authorities concerned (which may include provision for the payment of money, by a single payment or in 2 or more instalments, by one or more authorities concerned to any other authority or authorities concerned) in relation to all or any of the following:

(i) any net loss of revenue, actual or prospective, which is or may be incurred by any authority concerned in consequence of the primary order,

(ii) property, whether real or personal (including choses-in-action), vested in or belonging to or held in trust for any authority concerned and wholly or partly situated in or relating to any relevant area,

(iii) debts (including mortgage debts), charges created by statute and other liabilities (including unliquidated amounts, unliquidated damages arising from torts or breaches of contract and accruing or prospective liabilities), due and unpaid, or incurred and undischarged, and relating wholly or in part to any relevant area,

(iv) agreements or arrangements between any authorities concerned with respect to financial matters,

(v) alteration for specified purposes in the areas of charge provided for in section 10 of the Local Government Act, 1946,

(vi) rates and charges due and payable or accruing due,

(vii) the assessment and levying of rates and charges in any relevant area, (including the temporary reduction of valuations and the making of abatements),

and for giving effect to any matter referred to in clause (v), (vi) or (vii);

(g) the transfer of employees of an authority or authorities concerned to any other authority or authorities concerned;

(h) the enabling of provision to be made in respect of any matter referred to in subparagraph (f) (where provision in respect of it is not otherwise made by a supplementary order) by agreement between the authorities concerned or in the event of a failure by the authorities concerned to reach agreement, in such manner as may be specified in the order;

(i) the preparation of official maps showing the boundary of any relevant area and the evidential value of such maps;

(j) transitional matters relating to any development plan (within the meaning of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1999) in so far as it relates to any relevant area;

(k) the continuance of any thing done, or treated by virtue of any enactment as having been done, by, to or in relation to, any authority concerned in relation to any relevant area;

(l) the register of electors and polling districts to be used at any election of councillors for any local electoral area;

(m) the continuance in office of members of any authority concerned;

(n) the alteration of the number of members of any county council, city council or town council concerned;

(o) the alteration of any local electoral areas and the number of members assigned to such area for any local authority concerned;

(p) any other matter which appears to be necessary or proper for bringing into operation and giving full effect to the primary order.

2. In paragraph 1(k) “thing” includes the following:

(a) any written agreement or other instrument in writing or any scheme, plan, statement, policy, strategy, determination, declaration, undertaking, made or adopted by or on behalf of, or to be treated as having been made or adopted by or on behalf of an authority concerned;

(b) any direction given, revocation made, or to be treated as having been given or made, by or to an authority concerned;

(c) any licence, permit, certificate, permission, consent, approval, authorisation, exemption, relaxation, acknowledgement or dispensation granted or given, or to be treated as having been granted or given, by or to an authority concerned;

(d) any application, proposal or objection made, or to be treated as having been made, by or to an authority concerned;

(e) any condition or requirement imposed, or to be treated as having been imposed, or any notice served or to be treated as having been served, by or on an authority concerned.

3. An adjustment under paragraph 1(f) or an agreement under paragraph 1(h) may include—

(a) in the case of property referred to in paragraph 1(f)(ii), provision for the retention of the property by any authority concerned or for the transfer of it to another authority concerned or for the joint use of such property by 2 or more authorities concerned, and

(b) in the case of a debt or other liability referred to in paragraph 1(f)(iii), provision for the whole of such debt or liability being borne by any authority concerned or for the apportionment of the liability between 2 or more authorities concerned.

Schedule 12

SCHEDULE 12

Acts of the Oireachtas: Functions of Local Authorities

Section 63.

Sch. 12, Part 1

PART 1

Responsibility primarily with the Minister

Air Pollution Act 1987

Building Control Act 1990

Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992

Derelict Sites Act 1990

Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997

Electoral Acts 1992 to 2004

Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007

Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003

Housing Acts 1966 to 2004

Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Acts 1982 and 1983

Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003

Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1936

Local Authorities (Mutual Assurance) Acts 1926 to 1935

Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Acts 1926 to 1983

Local Authorities (Works) Act 1949

Local Elections Acts 1974 to 2004

Local Government Acts 1925 to 2007

Local Government (Collection of Rates) Act 1924

Local Government (Multi-Storey Buildings) Act 1988

Local Government (Rates) Act 1970

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 2001

Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1980

Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 to 2007

National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2007

Presidential Elections Acts 1992 to 2004

Protection of the Environment Act 2003

Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Acts 1947 to 2001

Town Renewal Act 2000

Urban Renewal Acts 1986 and 1987

Urban Renewal Act 1998

Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003

Water Services Act 2007

Water Supplies Act 1942]

Annotations

Amendments:

F306

Substituted (31.12.2007) by Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), s. 115, S.I. No. 846 of 2007, art. 2.

F307

Substituted by Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 237(a), not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C73

Prospective affecting provision: part amended by Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 237(a), not commenced as of date of revision.

...

Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 to 2007

F307[Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023]

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2007

...

Sch. 12, Part 2

F306[PART 2

Responsibility primarily with a Minister of the Government other than the Minister]

F306[ Abattoirs Act 1988

Air-raid Precautions Acts 1939 and 1946

Animals Act 1985

Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995

Arts Act 2003

Canals Acts 1986 and 2005

Casual Trading Act 1995

Civil Defence Acts 1939 to 2002

Coast Protection Act 1963

Communications Regulation Act 2002

Control of Horses Act 1996

Coroners Acts 1962 and 2005

Dangerous Substances Acts 1972 and 1979

Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act 1987

Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Acts 1952 and 1960

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998

Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005

Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 to 2003

Harbours Acts 1996 to 2005

Harbours Acts 1946 to 2005

Health Acts 1947 to 2006

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960

Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003

Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992

Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Acts 1975 and 1987

Malicious Injuries Acts 1981 and 1986

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Act 2003

Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act 1935

Roads Acts 1993 to 2001

Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2006

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

Social Welfare Acts

State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002

Údarás na Gaeltachta Acts 1979 to 1999

Universities Acts 1997 and 1999

Valuation Act 2001

F309[Education and Training Boards Act 2013]]

Annotations

Amendments:

F308

Substituted (31.12.2007) by Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), s. 115, S.I. No. 846 of 2007, art. 2.

F309

Substituted (1.07.2013) by Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (11/2013), s. 72 and sch. 6 item 37, S.I. No. 211 of 2013.

Schedule 13

SCHEDULE 13

Amenities, Recreation and Other Functions

1

2

Artistic, linguistic and cultural activities

The provision of art galleries, arts centres, concert halls, museums, theatres, opera houses and the holding of artistic, linguistic and cultural performances and events and promotional activities.

Sports, games and similar activities

The provision (both indoor and outdoor) of playing fields, athletic tracks, swimming pools and other bathing places, sports centres, gymnasia and other facilities and the holding of sporting events.

General recreational and leisure activities

The provision of parks, gardens, open spaces, playgrounds, play equipment, animals, picnic sites, viewing points, footpaths, walks, boats, piers, other landing places and marinas.

Civic improvements

The provision of street furniture, paving, clocks, statues, monuments and other features, illumination and decoration and other measures designed to upgrade the local environment.

General environmental and heritage protection and improvement

Landscaping, the planting of trees and other flora, measures for the conservation, preservation and protection of landscapes and habitats, of buildings and other sites and features of artistic, amenity, architectural, archaeological, historic, heritage or natural interest.

The public use of amenities (both natural and made or altered by human intervention)

The provision of access, signs, vehicle parks, safety equipment, information and refreshment facilities, sanitary accommodation, utilities, seating, shelter and any other apparatus, equipment or anything else necessary to facilitate such use.

Allotments, fairs and markets

The provision of land, buildings, services, related amenities and facilities and promotional activity.

Promotion of public safety

Support of safety programmes and events and local safety support services (including fire safety, road safety, water safety and rescue and mountain and cave safety and rescue); and provision of safety equipment.

Schedule 14

SCHEDULE 14

Certain Reserved Functions

1. The procedure at any meeting of a local authority or joint body.

2. The appointment, whether by way of nomination or election, of a person to be a member of a public authority.

3. The election of a Cathaoirleach or a Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority by that authority in accordance with Part 5 or of a chairperson of a joint body.

4. The determination of an annual rate on valuation.

5. The making, amending or revoking of a bye-law by a local authority under any other enactment where the provisions governing such making, amendment or revocation do not provide that it is a reserved function.

6. The making or revoking of an order or the passing or rescinding of a resolution by virtue of which an enactment is brought into operation in or is made to apply to the functional area or a part of such area of a local authority.

7. The application to be made to any Minister in respect of the making or revoking of any such order as is mentioned in paragraph 6.

8. The demanding (however expressed) under any enactment including this Act of the whole or a part of the expenses of a local authority or of a joint body from any other local authority.

Schedule 15

SCHEDULE 14A

Sch. 15, Part 1

PART 1

Reserved Functions to be Performed, Subject to Section 131A(4), by Municipal District Members

Reference No.

(1)

Description of reserved function

(2)

Provision under which reserved function is conferred

(3)

1

Adopting or reverting to the title Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and giving to the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach alternative titles.

Section 32 and Schedule 8.

2

Removal from office of the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Section 34.

3

Deciding to hold special meetings; appointing days and times of meetings; appointing a regular schedule for the holding of ordinary meetings; appointing different days, times and places for different meetings; appointing the day for holding the annual meeting other than in a year in which a local election is held; making additional arrangements for the giving of public notice of meetings; resolving that a member leave a meeting; making, amending or revoking standing orders; making rules for the purpose of ensuring that appointments to bodies are made fairly and equitably.

Section 44 and paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, 16 and 19 of Schedule 10.

4

Deciding to meet in committee for whole or part of a meeting where the municipal district members consider that such action is not contrary to the overall public interest.

Section 45.

5

Establishing a committee to consider matters connected with the functions of the local authority and to assist and advise the authority on those matters; appointing the members of a committee; and dissolving a committee.

Subsections (1) (a), (3) and (4) of section 51.

6

Adoption of statements regarding the economic elements of the local economic and community plan for the consideration of the elected council of the local authority.

Section 66C (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

7

Adoption of statements regarding the community elements of the local economic and community plan for the consideration of the elected council of the local authority.

Section 66C (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

8

Consideration of and making amendments to a draft budgetary plan.

Section 102(4A).

9

Consideration and adoption of an annual schedule of proposed works to be carried out in the district.

Section 103A.

10

Establishing a community fund for the purposes of supporting community initiatives.

Section 109.

11

Adopting a scheme for the making of an annual contribution by the occupier of each dwelling in the area to which the scheme applies towards particular community initiatives specified in the scheme.

Section 110.

12

Deciding, subject to the approval of the Minister, that a particular function of the municipal district members should be performed only by the local authority.

Section 131A.

13

A decision to pay an allowance for reasonable expenses of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and the determination of the amount of the allowance.

Section 143.

14

The approval of information to be included in an annual report in relation to the performance of functions by the municipal district members.

Section 221.

15

Deciding that a named member leave a meeting or that the member was the cause of the meeting being adjourned.

Paragraph 13 of Schedule 10.

16

Deciding to pay certain expenses to non-members of a local authority for attendance at committees or joint committees.

Article 9 of the Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 391 of 1993).

17

The delegation to a designated body of a function (including maintenance) in respect of the management and control of any specified dwellings or the revocation of any such delegation.

Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.

18

The delegation to a designated body of a function (including maintenance) in respect of the management and control of a dwelling or the revocation of any such delegation.

Section 30 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

19

Making representations to the Minister in relation to an order made by the Minister closing particular roads to vehicles.

Section 94 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

20

The making of arrangements in relation to school wardens.

Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

21

Entry into an agreement for the exercise of power under the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act 1975 by another local authority.

Section 7 of the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act 1975.

22

The making of an order declaring a road to be a public road and consideration of objections or representations in relation to such declaration.

Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as applied by section 180 of the Act of 2000.

23

The making of an order abandoning a public road and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to a proposal to abandon a public road and the report and any recommendations of a person appointed to conduct an oral hearing.

Section 12 of the Roads Act 1993.

24

The making of an order extinguishing a public right of way and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to a proposal to extinguish a public right of way and the report and any recommendations of a person appointed to conduct an oral hearing.

Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993.

25

The making of a resolution (pursuant to regulations under section 35(2) (l) of the Road Traffic Act 1994) specifying the places in which vehicles may be parked either indefinitely or for any period not exceeding a specified period.

Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

26

Making of bye-laws for the control and regulation of the parking of vehicles in specified places on public roads (including provision for the payment of fees for parking) and the consideration of observations or representations in relation to draft bye-laws.

Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

27

Making of a resolution to determine the manner in which fees in respect of parking shall be disposed of.

Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

28

The making of a decision to provide or remove prescribed traffic calming measures and the consideration of observations or representations in relation to a proposal to provide or remove such measures.

Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

29

The making of bye-laws in relation to stands for taxis.

Section 84 (as amended by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2002) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

30

Making, or refusing to make, or revocation or amendment of, a tree preservation order.

Section 205 of the Act of 2000.

31

Making of bye-laws in relation to the control, regulation, supervision and administration of casual trading.

Section 6 of the Casual Trading Act 1995.

32

The extinguishment of a market right.

Section 8 of the Casual Trading Act 1995.

33

The making, review, amendment or replacement of a litter management plan.

Section 13 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

34

Making bye-laws for the purposes of preventing the creation of, and controlling, litter.

Section 21 (as amended by section 57 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

35

The making of submissions to a fire authority regarding a proposed indoor event that requires a licence.

Section 23 of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003.

36

The approval of a draft bye-law, the consideration of submissions in relation to such draft bye-law and the making, amendment or revocation of a bye-law.

Section 199.

37

Adopting, amending or rescinding a resolution concerning the expiry times of a special exemption order.

Section 5 (as amended by section 11 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927.

38

Making of bye-laws in respect of the use of temporary dwellings.

Section 30 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948.

39

Making an order prohibiting the erection or retention of temporary dwellings.

Section 31 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948.

40

Making bye-laws in relation to any national monument of which the local authority is the owner or the guardian.

Section 9 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987.

41

Adopting a proposal to substitute a new placename in respect of a place.

Section 189 (as amended by section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011).

42

Deciding to hold a ballot in respect of a proposal to change a placename or deciding not to proceed with the proposal.

Section 189 (as amended by section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011).

43

Adopting or rescinding Part III (Licensing for Gaming of Amusement Halls and Funfairs) of Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

Section 13 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

44

Decision to make a charge in relation to amenities, facilities, services or any other thing provided by a local authority under section 66 of the Local Government Act 2001.

Section 66.

45

Making of rules in relation to arrangements for attendance and raising of issues by interested persons at meetings.

Section 127.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F310

Schedule inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(4) and sch. 3, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

F311

Substituted by Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 237(b), not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C74

Prospective affecting provision: ref. no. 40 substituted by Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 237(b), not commenced as of date of revision.

...

F311[40

Making bye-laws in relation to any national monument (LA) within the meaning of section 74 of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

Section 83 of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.]

...

Sch. 15, Part 2

F312[PART 2

Reserved Functions that May be Performed under Section 131A(1) (b) in Respect of a Municipal District by Municipal District Members or the Local Authority

Reference No.

(1)

Description of reserved function

(2)

Provision under which reserved function is conferred

(3)

1

A decision of a local authority to confer a civic honour on a person.

Section 74.

2

A decision to enter into arrangements for twinning with any other area.

Section 75.

3

A decision to incur reasonable expenditure for or in connection with the provision of receptions and entertainment and the making of presentations.

Section 76.

4

Requiring that specified action be taken in accordance with section 127 for the purpose of consultation with the local community.

Section 127.

5

Determining the policy of the local authority or the municipal district members.

Section 130.

6

Directing that a second legal opinion be obtained by the local authority in relation to the exercise or performance of a reserved function.

Section 132.

7

Deciding that a report on the capital programme may be considered at a meeting other than the local authority budget meeting.

Section 135.

8

Requiring a chief executive to prepare and submit plans, specifications and an estimate of cost of any particular work specified in a resolution.

Section 137.

9

Directing a chief executive to inform the council of the manner in which he or she proposes to perform any specified executive function of the local authority.

Section 138.

10

Requesting a member of a local authority to present a report on the activities and operation of another body to which the member is elected, appointed or nominated by that authority.

Section 141.

11

Approving a proposal of the chief executive to grant permission for the development of land which would contravene materially the development plan or local area plan.

Section 34 (as amended by Schedule 2 to the Local Government Reform Act 2014) of the Act of 2000.

12

A decision in relation to the making, amendment or revocation of a local area plan within the meaning of the Act of 2000.

Section 20 (as amended by section 9 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002 and section 13 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010) of the Act of 2000.

13

The making of an addition to, or a deletion from, a record of protected structures to which Part IV of the Act of 2000 relates.

Section 54 of the Act of 2000.

14

Approving, amending or revoking a special planning control scheme.

Section 85 and 86 of the Act of 2000.

15

Deciding to vary or modify a proposed local authority own development, or deciding not to proceed with the development.

Section 179 of the Act of 2000.

16

Making, or refusing to make an order creating a public right of way over any land.

Section 207 of the Act of 2000.

17

Deciding to vary or modify, or not to proceed with, an event proposed to be carried out by a local authority.

Section 238 of the Act of 2000.

18

The preparation, making, adoption or variation of a housing services plan, or draft plan.

Section 14 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

19

The making of a decision in relation to the representation of the views of the local community.

Section 64.

20

A decision by a local authority to provide assistance in money or in kind under section 66 for promotion of the interests of the local community.

Section 66.

21

A declaration that a body be a recognised association for the purposes of section 128.

Section 128.

22

Observations in regard to a preliminary flood risk assessments, a flood hazard map, a flood risk map, or both such maps, a flood risk management plan, and a flood risk management scheme, prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland; deciding whether to adopt or otherwise a flood risk management plan; and objection to the issue of a certificate of completion of flood risk management works.

Sections 8, 12, 18, 20, 27 and 40 of European Communities (Assessment and Management of Flood Risks) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 122 of 2010).

23

Consideration of and observations in regard to a drainage scheme prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.

Section 5 of Arterial Drainage Act 1945.

24

Objection to the issue of a certificate of completion of drainage works.

Section 13 of Arterial Drainage Act 1945.

]

Annotations

Amendments:

F312

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(4) and sch. 3, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E332

Conditions, restrictions and other procedures in relation to the performance by municipal district members of reserved functions under this Part provided (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in Respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 231 of 2014).

Sch. 15, Part 3

F313[PART 3

Reserved Functions to be Performed by the Local Authority

Reference No.

(1)

Description of reserved function

(2)

Provision under which reserved function is conferred

(3)

1

Extending the period of permitted absence from attendance at local authority meetings.

Section 18.

2

Adopting a proposal for the alteration of the number of members of certain local authorities.

Section 22.

3

Adopting or reverting to the title Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and giving to the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach alternative titles.

Section 32 and Schedule 8.

4

Removal from office of the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or the chairperson of any strategic policy committee.

Section 34 (as amended by section 38 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

5

Deciding to fix the day or days for the first meetings of the municipal district members for each of the municipal districts within the functional area of the local authority.

Paragraph 4 Schedule 10 (as amended by section 57 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

6

Deciding to hold special meetings; appointing days and times of meetings; appointing a regular schedule for the holding of ordinary meetings; appointing different days, times and places for different meetings; appointing the day for holding the annual meeting other than in a year in which a local election is held; making additional arrangements for the giving of public notice of meetings; resolving that a member leave a meeting; making, amending or revoking standing orders; and making rules for the purpose of ensuring that appointments to bodies are made fairly and equitably.

Section 44 and paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, 16 and 19 of Schedule 10.

7

Deciding to meet in committee for whole or part of a meeting where the authority considers that such action is not contrary to the overall public interest.

Section 45.

8

Establishing a committee to consider matters connected with the functions of the local authority and to assist and advise the authority on those matters or to perform functions of the authority; appointing the members of a committee; and dissolving a committee.

Section 51.

9

Establishing a joint committee of 2 or more local authorities to consider and advise on specified matters, or to perform functions delegated to it, delegating reserved functions to a joint committee and dissolving such a committee.

Section 52.

10

Making the integrated local economic and community plan.

Section 66C(4) (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

11

Preparing, reviewing and updating the implementation strategy for the economic elements of the local economic and community plan.

Section 66E (inserted by section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

12

Entering into an agreement with another local or public authority for the performance by one of the authorities concerned of any function of the other.

Section 85.

13

Adopting the draft local authority budget.

Section 103 (substituted by section 58 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

14

Determining the annual rate on valuation to be levied.

Section 103 (substituted by section 58 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

15

Specifying a local electoral area or local electoral areas within the administrative area of the local authority where owners of vacant premises shall be entitled to claim and receive a refund of differing proportion of such rate to that that would otherwise apply to the rest of the administrative area and deciding what proportion of refund shall apply in respect of each of those specified electoral districts.

Section 14 (as amended by section 31 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) of the Local Government Act 1946, section 20 (as so amended) of the Cork City Management Act 1941 and section 71 (as so amended) of the Local Government (Dublin) Act 1930.

16

Adoption of a schedule of proposed works of maintenance and repair to be carried out in a municipal district, if the schedule is not adopted by the municipal district members.

Subsection (4) of section 103A (inserted by section 58 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

17

Authorising the incurring of additional expenditure and adopting and amending a scheme authorising the chief executive to incur additional expenditure without prior approval of the elected council.

Section 104.

18

Requiring the preparation and submission to the local authority members of financial statements.

Section 105.

19

A decision to borrow money or to lend money to another local authority.

Section 106.

20

Delegation of additional functions to municipal district members or revocation of such delegation.

Section 131A (inserted by section 21 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

21

Performing, in accordance with regulations, a specified function in place of municipal district members in a particular case or occasion.

Section 131A (inserted by section 21 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

22

Extending a direction by the Cathaoirleach of a county council, a city council or a city and county council requiring the chief executive to refrain from doing a particular act, matter or thing.

Section 133.

23

Approving the corporate plan with or without amendment.

Section 134.

24

Adopting the draft local authority service delivery plan.

Section 134A (inserted by section 50 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

25

Directing that certain works shall not proceed.

Section 139.

26

Requiring a particular act, matter or thing to be done or effected in the performance of executive functions of the local authority, other than certain prescribed matters.

Section 140.

27

Authorisation by an elected council of one or more of its members to avail of training or attend training events.

Subsection (5A) (inserted by section 53 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) of section 141.

28

Authorising representation of the authority by councillors at a conference, seminar or other meeting or event, or to avail of training or attend training events.

Section 142.

29

A decision to pay an allowance for reasonable expenses of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and the determination of the amount of the allowance.

Section 143.

30

The appointment, suspension or removal of a chief executive by a county council, a city council, or city and county council.

Sections 145 and 146.

31

Resolving that disposal of land which is held by a local authority shall be carried out in accordance with terms specified in the resolution, or that it shall not be carried out.

Section 183.

32

Making an order to declare an area to be an area of special amenity.

Section 202 of the Act of 2000.

33

Making, or refusing to make, or revocation or amendment of, an order designating any area or place as a landscape conservation area.

Section 204 of the Act of 2000.

34

The adoption of an annual report under section 221.

Section 221.

35

Deciding to hold or to cease to hold membership of an association of local authorities.

Section 225.

36

Declaring that another local authority shall be the successor of a specified joint burial board or cemetery joint committee which is to be dissolved.

Section 230.

37

Deciding that a named member leave a meeting of a local authority.

Paragraph 13 of Schedule 10 (as amended by section 57 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

38

Deciding that a named member was the cause of a meeting being adjourned, with a consequential reduction in remuneration and expenses.

Paragraph 13 of Schedule 10 (as amended by section 57 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

39

Deciding that a named member was the cause of a meeting being adjourned and should be suspended from attendance at meetings, with a consequential cessation of payment of remuneration and expenses for the suspension period imposed, and the early lifting of the suspension.

Paragraph 13 of Schedule 10 (as amended by section 57 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

40

Deciding to pay certain expenses to non-members of a local authority for attendance at committees or joint committees.

Article 9 of the Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 391 of 1993).

41

Applying to the Minister to make an order under subsection (8) of section 29 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 that the adjustment period, referred to in that section and applicable to a specified area within the administrative area of the local authority, may be extended by a period not greater than 10 years and stating the length of extension being sought.

Section 29(8) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

42

Making or amendment of a scheme for the waiver of rates and determination of classes of property in respect of which rates may be paid by instalments.

Sections 2 and 4 of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970.

43

Proposing that the boundary of a county, a city, or a city and county be altered, making a statement of response to such proposal, amending the proposal and deciding to make an application to the Minister for the making of an order altering the boundary.

Section 29 of the Local Government Act 1991.

44

Nominating a person to be a candidate at a presidential election.

Section 16 of the Presidential Elections Act 1993.

45

Adopting a purchase scheme applying to the sale of dwellings.

Section 90 (inserted by section 26 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992) of the Housing Act 1966, as amended by section 183.

46

The making of an agreement between authorities to enable a housing authority to perform any of its housing functions outside its functional area.

Section 109 of the Housing Act 1966.

47

The determination of the terms and conditions under which assistance is provided to another housing authority or an approved body.

Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.

48

Adoption of a policy for the effective performance of functions under section 58(1) of the Housing Act 1966 or an amendment to such a policy.

Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.

49

The transfer, sale or assignment of mortgages, unless it is the subject of a direction by the Minister.

Section 14 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.

50

The adoption of a traveller accommodation programme or an amendment to, or replacement of, the programme.

Section 7 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998.

51

The making of an appointment to a local traveller accommodation consultative committee.

Section 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998.

52

The making and amending of a scheme which determines the order of priority for allocation of affordable houses provided under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Section 98 of the Act of 2000.

53

Making and amending a scheme that determines the order of priorities for allocation of affordable houses made available for sale under Part 2 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002.

Section 8 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002.

54

The making or amendment of an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

55

The making and revocation of a rent scheme providing for the manner in which rents and other charges in respect of dwellings shall be determined.

Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

56

The drawing up and adoption of, and the amendment of, an anti-social behaviour strategy.

Section 35 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

57

The adoption or amendment of a Homelessness Action Plan.

Section 40 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

58

The adoption of a proposal to designate an apartment complex for the purpose of making the apartments available for sale to the tenants.

Section 53 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

59

The designation of an apartment complex in accordance with a section 53 proposal.

Section 55 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

60

The extension of the initial selling period for apartments in a designated apartment complex.

Section 56 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

61

Functions of a road authority in relation to abandonment of a railway line.

Section 21 of the Transport Act 1950.

62

The making of representations by a road authority to the National Roads Authority and to the Minister for Transport regarding a proposed national road alignment.

Section 22 of the Roads Act 1993.

63

The making of a scheme for the establishment of a system of tolls in relation to a regional road or a local road, the making of representations to the National Roads Authority in relation to a toll scheme in relation to a national road and the making of an order revoking a toll scheme in relation to a regional road or a local road.

Sections 57 and 60 (as amended by sections 271 and 273 of the Act of 2000) of the Roads Act 1993.

64

The making of toll bye-laws in relation to a regional road or a local road.

Section 61 (as amended by section 274 of the Act of 2000) of the Roads Act 1993.

65

Entering into an agreement for financing, maintenance, construction and operation of toll roads in relation to a regional road or a local road.

Section 63 (as amended by section 275 of the Act of 2000) of the Roads Act 1993.

66

The making of special speed limit bye-laws.

Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004.

67

The making of bye-laws to regulate and control skips on public roads and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to the draft bye-laws.

Section 72 of the Roads Act 1993.

68

Entering into an agreement with the Commissioners for Public Works in Ireland for the transfer of a bridge over a canal.

Section 16 of the Canals Act 1986.

69

The making of a development plan and making or refusing to make a variation of a development plan which for the time being is in force.

Sections 9, 12 and 13 of the Act of 2000.

70

The revocation or modification of a permission to develop land if the development to which the permission relates no longer conforms with the provisions of the development plan.

Section 44 of the Act of 2000.

71

Making a development contribution scheme.

Section 48 of the Act of 2000.

72

Making or amending a supplementary development contribution scheme.

Section 49 of the Act of 2000.

73

Deciding to make, subject to variations and modifications, or deciding not to make a draft planning scheme for strategic development zones.

Section 169 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010) of the Act of 2000.

74

Amending or revoking a planning scheme for strategic development zones.

Section 171 of the Act of 2000.

75

Adoption by a planning authority of a code of conduct for dealing with conflicts of interest and promoting public confidence in the integrity of the conduct of its business.

Section 150 of the Act of 2000.

76

Making or terminating of an agreement by two or more planning authorities for sharing the cost of performing functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Section 244 of the Act of 2000.

77

Directing the manner in which a list of the planning applications received shall be made available to the members of a planning authority.

Article 27 (inserted by the Planning and Development Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 685 of 2006)) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001).

78

Directing the manner in which a list of planning applications in respect of which decisions were given shall be made available to the members of a planning authority.

Article 32 (inserted by the Planning and Development Regulations 2006) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.

79

Examining and considering a drainage scheme sent to a county council by the Commissioners of Public Works and providing observations to the Commissioners in regard to such scheme.

Section 5 of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and section 5 of the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act 1995

80

The consideration of a report on proposed coast protection works and the making of a declaration for the promotion of a coast protection scheme, the consideration of a report by the Commissioners of Public Works and the making of a declaration on the preparation and execution of a coast protection scheme, the making of a declaration that a coast protection scheme is or is not to be proceeded with and the making of an objection to the issue of a certificate of completion.

Sections 2, 5, 8, 10 and 18 of the Coast Protection Act 1963.

81

The making of an agreement by a fire authority to provide services for, or avail of the services of, any body or person other than a fire authority and the making of an agreement between fire authorities for the purpose of any of their functions.

Section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981.

82

The making and revision by a fire authority of a plan for fire and emergency operations.

Section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1981.

83

The making of a financial contribution by a local authority to support or assist any person, or body of persons, engaged, or proposing to engage, in any research, survey or investigation into the nature and extent, the cause and effect, and the prevention or limitation, of air pollution or in any educational programme relating to such matters.

Section 18 of the Air Pollution Act 1987.

84

The making, revoking or amending by a local authority of a special control area order to prevent or limit air pollution and the giving of consent to the making of such an order by any other local authority.

Section 39 of the Air Pollution Act 1987.

85

Entry into an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to exercise or perform any function or service on behalf of the Agency.

Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.

86

The making, review, variation or replacement by a local authority of an air quality management plan.

Section 46 of the Air Pollution Act 1987.

87

The making, revision or replacement by a local authority of a water quality management plan.

Section 15 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977.

88

The making by a local authority of a contribution to the funds of a person engaged in or proposing to engage in research, surveys or investigations in relation to water pollution.

Section 29 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977.

89

The making by a local authority of bye-laws in relation to a harbour under its control or management, including bye-laws with respect to the use of, and the safety of navigation within, a harbour and generally with respect to the regulation of a harbour, and for the purpose of enabling it to impose charges.

Section 89 of the Harbours Act 1996 and section 199.

90

The making by a local authority of bye-laws declaring all or any part of its functional area to be a control area where it is satisfied that horses in that area should be licensed.

Sections 13 and 17 of the Control of Horses Act 1996.

91

The making of bye-laws providing certain exemptions in relation to a horse licence.

Sections 13 and 19 of the Control of Horses Act 1996.

92

The entering by a local authority into arrangements with another local authority, or any termination thereof, in relation to the application for and the granting of horse licences on its behalf.

Sections 13 and 20 of the Control of Horses Act 1996.

93

The making, replacement or revision of a water services strategic plan, an application to the Minister for an extension of not more than 3 months after the latest date for the making of a water services strategic plan, and approving a joint plan, by a water services authority.

Section 36 of the Water Services Act 2007.

94

The making of bye-laws, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating the entry of polluting matter to waters, prohibiting the carrying on of a specified activity.

Section 21 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Act 1990.

95

The establishment of environmental objectives and the establishment of a programme of measures in order to achieve those objectives in relation to each river basin district.

Article 12 of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003).

96

The making and updating of a river basin management plan.

Article 13 of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003.

97

The making of bye-laws in relation to presentation of waste for collection.

Section 35 of the Waste Management Act 1996.

98

The adoption of a library development programme.

Section 78.

99

Entry by a local authority into an agreement for the Health Service Executive to perform a function on the authoritys behalf.

Section 8 of the Health Act 2004.

100

The making or revoking of a determination for the provision of meals for children attending a national school situated outside the authoritys functional area.

Section 274 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1981.

101

The making by a city council of a scheme in relation to the provision of meals (other than meals in national schools).

Section 279 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1981.

102

The making of a decision to provide a public abattoir.

Section 19 of the Abattoirs Act 1988.

103

The making of a scheme dividing a county or city into polling districts and appointing a polling place for each polling district and an appointment of an alternative polling place for a polling district in a scheme for the time being in force.

Section 28 (as amended by section 2 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996) of the Electoral Act 1992.

104

Entry into arrangements under section 15(2) or 15(3) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986and the granting of assistance (other than the provision of services of staff) under section 15(4) of that Act.

Section 15 (as amended by section 6 of the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986.

105

The making of bye-laws relating to control of dogs.

Section 17 (inserted by section 211) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986.

106

Where regulations provide for the issue of polling information cards by a local authority, a decision to issue them.

Section 27.

107

The passing by a local authority of a resolution that the basic rate of local property tax should stand varied (either upwards or downwards) by a specified percentage in respect of relevant residential properties situated in the local authoritys functional area.

Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012.

108

Establishing, dissolving or replacing a local community development committee.

Section 49A (inserted by section 36(1) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

109

Appointment of members of a local community development committee.

Section 128D (inserted by section 36(2) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

110

Approving a local and community development programme.

Section 128B (inserted by section 36(2) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

111

Adoption of an implementation plan setting out the steps to be taken in respect of a report of the National Oversight and Audit Commission.

Section 126D (inserted by section 61(1) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

112

Adoption of a statement indicating the actions already taken or planned to be taken by the chief executive to carry out the directions of the council in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions are not sufficient, stating the reasons for such opinion.

Section 132 (inserted by section 47 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

113

The adoption of a Framework for Public Participation in Local Government.

Section 127 (inserted by section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014).]

Annotations

Amendments:

F313

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 21(4) and sch. 3, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.

Editorial Notes:

E333

Conditions in relation to the delegation by the elected council of the local authority of reserved functions under this Part to municipal district members provided (1.06.2014) by Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in Respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 231 of 2014).

Schedule 16

SCHEDULE 15

Functions to be done by Manager’s Order

1. A decision on an application under any enactment for the grant of a permission, approval, permit, consent, certificate, licence or other form of statutory authorisation.

2. A statutory notice served under the provisions of any enactment requiring compliance with such enactment.

3. A decision to take legal proceedings.

4. The acquisition or disposal of land or an agreement regarding the use of land.

5. The letting of a dwelling.

6. The acceptance of a tender.

7. The award of grants, loans or other financial assistance.

8. The appointment of staff.

Schedule 17

F314[SCHEDULE 16

Relevant Bodies to which Section 128F(1)(d) Relates

Section 36(3)

(1) Pobal

(2) Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership Limited

(3) Ballyhoura Development Limited

(4) Bray Area Partnership Limited

(5) Breffni Integrated Development Limited

(6) Carlow County Development Partnership Limited

(7) Cill Dara Ar Aghaidh Teoranta

(8) Clare Local Development Company Limited

(9) Comhar na nOileáin Teoranta

(10) Comhair Chathair Chorcaí Teoranta

(11) County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Company Limited

(12) County Sligo LEADER Partnership Company Limited

(13) Co. Wicklow Community Partnership

(14) Donegal Local Development Company Limited

(15) Fingal Leader Partnership Company Limited

(16) Forum Connemara Limited

(17) Galway City Partnership Limited

(18) Galway Rural Development Company Limited

(19) Inishowen Development Partnership

(20) IRD Duhallow Limited

(21) Laois Community and Enterprise Development Company Limited

(22) Leitrim Integrated Development Company Limited

(23) Longford Community Resources Limited

(24) Louth LEADER Partnership

(25) Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company Teoranta

(26) Meath Community Rural and Social Development Partnership Limited

(27) Monaghan Integrated Development Limited

(28) North and East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teoranta

(29) North Tipperary LEADER Partnership

(30) Northside Partnership Limited

(31) Offaly Integrated Local Development Company Limited

(32) People Action Against Unemployment Limited

(33) Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership Limited

(34) Roscommon Integrated Development Company Limited

(35) South and East Cork Area Development Partnership Limited

(36) South Dublin County Partnership Limited

(37) South Kerry Development Partnership Limited

(38) South Tipperary Development Company Limited

(39) South West Mayo Development Company Limited

(40) Southside Partnership DLR Limited

(41) The Ballyfermot / Chapelizod Partnership Company Limited

(42) The Ballymun Partnership Limited

(43) The Blanchardstown Area Partnership Limited

(44) Tolka Area Partnership Limited

(45) Waterford Area Partnership Limited

(46) Waterford LEADER Partnership Limited

(47) West Cork Development Partnership Limited

(48) West Limerick Resources Limited

(49) Westmeath Community Development Limited

(50) Wexford Local Development.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F314

Inserted (1.06.2014) by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 36(3) and sch. 5, S.I. No. 214 of 2014.


Number 37 of 2001


LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 1 January 2024


About this Revised Act

This Revised Act presents the text of the Act as it has been amended since enactment, and preserves the format in which it was first passed.

Related legislation

Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001: Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), Part 15 Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service, deals with the same subject matter as the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.

Local Elections Acts 1974 to 2014: this Act (Parts 3, 4, Part 5 chapter 3 and s. 243) is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 1(5)). The Acts in the group are:

Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act 1974 (8/1974)

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985 (7/1985), so much of the Act as relates to local elections

Local Government Act 1991 (11/1991), Part III and so much of Part IV as relates to local elections

Electoral Act 1992 (23/1992), Part II insofar as it relates to local government electors and Part XXIII insofar as it relates to local elections

Electoral Act 1997 (25/1997), Parts VII and VIII insofar as they relate to local elections

Local Government Act 1998 (16/1998), ss. 9 and 10

Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 (7/1999) (other than s. 1(4) and so much of s. 25 as relates to the European Parliament elections)

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), Parts 3, 4, Chapter 3 of Part 5 and s. 243

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 (38/2001), in so far as it relates to local elections

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2002 (4/2002), in so far as it relates to local elections

Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003)

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (15/2004), in so far as it relates to local elections

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006 (33/2006), in so far as it relates to local elections

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 (4/2009), in so far as it relates to local elections

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009 (9/2009) (other than s. 9)

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 (36/2012), in so far as it relates to local elections

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 1(5), 5(4) and sch. 2 part 2 in so far as it relates to the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act 1974 and the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999

Acts previously included in the group but now repealed are:

Local Government Act 1994 (8/1994), Parts II and III

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1986 (35/1986), in so far as it relates to local elections

Local Government Acts 1925 to 2023: this Act is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 1(5)). The Acts in the group are:

Local Government Act 1925 (5/1925)

Local Government Act 1927 (3/1927)

Local Government Act 1941 (23/1941)

Local Government Act 1946 (24/1946)

Local Government Act 1955 (9/1955)

Local Government (No. 2) Act 1960 (40/1960)

Local Government (Buncrana) Act 1968 (2/1968)

Local Government (Rateability of Rents) (Abolition) Act 1971 (15/1971) in so far as it amends Local Government Acts 1925 to 1967

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1978 (35/1978)

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1983 (10/1983)

Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 (21/1983)

Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985 (7/1985)

Local Government Act 1991 (11/1991)

Local Government Act 1994 (8/1994)

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1997 (29/1997)

Local Government Act 1998 (16/1998)

Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 2000 (6/2000)

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001) (other than ss. 163, 164 and 211 and Parts 23 and 24)

Local Government Act 2003 (8/2003)

Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003)

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (15/2004), s. 34

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006), ss. 2 to 7

Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), ss. 1(7), 13 and 115

Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act 2007 (39/2007), Part 3

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012), Part 4

Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Act 2013 (27/2013), Part 9

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), other than s. 1(3) to (8), s. 5(3) to (5) and sch. 2

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (21/2014), s. 57

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (17/2016), ss. 1(2)(c), 52

Local Government Act 2019 (1/2019)

Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (24/2019), other than ss. 23-26

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 (52/2022), s. 2

Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), Part 13 chapters 6, 7 (ss. 261-274)

Acts previously included in the group but now repealed are:

Local Government (Amendment) Act 1930 (26/1930)

Local Government Act 1933 (5/1933)

Local Government (Amendment) Act 1934 (5/1934)

Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1934 (44/1934)

Local Government Act 1936 (46/1936)

Local Government (Amendment) Act 1939 (9/1939)

Local Government Act 1953 (12/1953)

Local Government Act 1958 (9/1958)

Local Government Act 1959 (10/1959)

Local Government Act 1960 (23/1960)

Local Government (Roads and Motorways) Act 1974 (6/1974)

Local Government (Toll Roads) Act 1979 (34/1979)

Local Government Act 2000 (25/2000)

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2023: this Act is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), s. 1(3)). The Acts in the group are:

Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000)

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), ss. 2, 5(3) and sch. 4 (in so far as they relate to the Act of 2000) and s. 247

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002 (32/2002), Parts 2 and 3

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (43/2004), s. 2

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 (27/2006)

Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007), ss. 114 and 1(6)

Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009 (26/2009), ss. 7(1), (2) and 21(3)

Compulsory Purchase Orders (Extension of Time Limits) Act 2010 (17/2010)

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 (30/2010) (other than Part 3)

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), Part 5

Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Act 2013 (27/2013), Part 8

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), ss. 1(8), 5(7) and sch. 2 part 4.

Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (33/2015)

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015 (63/2015)

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (17/2016), ss. 1(1), (2)(a), (3), 2-29

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2017 (20/2017)

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 (16/2018)

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 (12/2019), Part 3

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 (14/2019), s. 38

European Union (Waste Water Discharge) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 214 of 2020), Part II

Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (24/2019), ss. 23, 24

Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 (2/2020), s. 9

Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (27/2020)

Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2021 (11/2021), Part 2 chs. 2, 5

Planning and Development (Large Scale Residential Developments) Act 2021 (40/2021)

Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (50/2021), Part 8 (ss. 171-174) and schs. 10-12

Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 (29/2022), Part 2 (ss. 2-41)

Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 (47/2022), Part 2 (ss. 2-14)

Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), Part 13 chapter 3 (ss. 246-253)

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 2001: this Act (Part 9 chapter 5) is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Local Government Act 2001(37/2001), s. 1(4)). The Acts in the group are:

Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 52)

Public Health (Ireland) Amendment Act 1879 (42 & 43 Vict. c. 57)

Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890 (53 & 54 Vict. c. 59)

Public Health (Ireland) Act 1896 (59 & 60 Vict. c. 19 & c. 54)

Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7. c. 53)

Local Government Act 1925 (5/1925), Part II

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 (3/1948)

Local Government (Sanitary Services) (Joint Burial Boards) Act 1952 (22/1952)

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962 (26/1962)

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 (29/1964)

Local Government (Delimitation of Water Supply Disconnection Powers) Act 1995 (18/1995)

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), Part 9 chapter 5

Acts previously included in the group but now repealed are:

Public Health (Ireland) Amendment Act 1884 (47 & 48 Vict. c. 77)

Public Health (Ireland) Act 1900 (63 & 64 Vict. c. 10)

Public Health (Prevention and Treatment of Disease) (Ireland) Act 1917 (7 & 8 Geo. 5. c. 40)

Public Health (Borrowing Powers) (Ireland) Act 1918 (8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 35)

Public Health (Medical Treatment of Children) (Ireland) Act 1919 (9 & 10 Geo. 5. c. 16)

Local Government Act 1927 (3/1927), so much as relates to public health

Public Health (Special Expenses) Act 1931 (3/1931)

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962 (26/1962)

Local Government (Delimitation of Water Supply Disconnection Powers) Act 1995 (18/1995)

Roads Acts 1993 to 2023: this Act is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be read together as one (Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023(16/2023), s. 1(4)). The Acts in the group are:

Roads Act 1993 (14/1993)

Roads (Amendment) Act 1998 (23/1998), (other than s. 7)

Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000), s. 215 and Part XX

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), ss. 81 and 245

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 (27/2006), s. 51

Roads Act 2007 (34/2007), other than ss. 12 and 13

Roads Act 2015 (14/2015)

Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023(16/2023), ss. 37-45

Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Acts 1991 and 2001: this Act (Part 23) is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Local Government Act 2001, s. 1(6)). The Acts in the group are:

Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act 1991 (19/1991)

Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), Part 23

Annotations

This Revised Act is annotated and includes textual and non-textual amendments, statutory instruments made pursuant to the Act and previous affecting provisions. A version without annotations, showing only textual amendments, is also available.

An explanation of how to read annotations is available at

www.lawreform.ie/annotations.

Material not updated in this revision

Where other legislation is amended by this Act, those amendments may have been superseded by other amendments in other legislation, or the amended legislation may have been repealed or revoked. This information is not represented in this revision but will be reflected in a revision of the amended legislation if one is available.

Where legislation or a fragment of legislation is referred to in annotations, changes to this legislation or fragment may not be reflected in this revision but will be reflected in a revision of the legislation referred to if one is available.

A list of legislative changes to any Act, and to statutory instruments from 1972, may be found linked from the page of the Act or statutory instrument at

www.irishstatutebook.ie.

Acts which affect or previously affected this revision

Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023)

Civil Defence Act 2023 (17/2023)

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 (52/2022)

Electoral Reform Act 2022 (30/2022)

Land Development Agency Act 2021 (26/2021)

Affordable Housing Act 2021 (25/2021)

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (23/2020)

Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (24/2019)

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 (12/2019)

Local Government Act 2019 (1/2019)

Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 (9/2018)

Harbours Act 2015 (61/2015)

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (21/2014)

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014)

Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (50/2013)

Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013)

Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Act 2013 (27/2013)

Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (11/2013)

Civil Defence Act 2012 (51/2012)

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 (17/2012)

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011)

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011)

Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (24/2010)

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (22/2009)

Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act 2007 (39/2007)

Water Services Act 2007 (30/2007)

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 (42/2006)

Health Act 2004 (42/2004)

Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004)

Health (Amendment) Act 2004 (19/2004)

Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (15/2004)

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004)

Arts Act 2003 (24/2003)

Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003 (17/2003)

Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000)

Waste Management Act 1996 (10/1996)

All Acts up to and including Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023 (40/2023), enacted 19 December 2023, were considered in the preparation of this revision.

Statutory instruments which affect or previously affected this revision

Local Government Rates (Financial Procedures) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 696 of 2023)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Security Allowance for Local Authority Members) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 449 of 2023)

National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 428 of 2023)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Allowance for Maternity - Related Administrative Support) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 404 of 2023)

Standards in Public Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 89 of 2023)

Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 313 of 2021)

Local Government (Remuneration of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 312 of 2021)

County Of Kerry Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 157 of 2021)

County Of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 156 of 2019)

County Of Cork Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts Order 2019 (S.I. No. 28 of 2019)

City Of Cork Local Electoral Areas Order 2019 (S.I. No. 27 of 2019)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 24 of 2019)

County Of Meath Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 8 of 2019)

County Of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 7 of 2019)

County Of Louth Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts (Amendment) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 6 of 2019)

County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 638 of 2018)

County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 637 of 2018)

County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 636 of 2018)

City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 635 of 2018)

County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 634 of 2018)

County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 633 of 2018)

County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 632 of 2018)

County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 631 of 2018)

County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 630 of 2018)

County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 629 of 2018)

County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 628 of 2018)

County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 627 of 2018)

County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 626 of 2018)

County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 625 of 2018)

City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 624 of 2018)

County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 623 of 2018)

County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 622 of 2018)

County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 621 of 2018)

County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 620 of 2018)

County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 619 of 2018)

County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 618 of 2018)

City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 617 of 2018)

County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 616 of 2018)

County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 615 of 2018)

City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 614 of 2018)

County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 613 of 2018)

County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 612 of 2018)

County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 611 of 2018)

County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 610 of 2018)

National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 442 of 2018)

Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 494 of 2017)

Community Development (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 357 of 2017)

National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 536 of 2016)

Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 447 of 2015)

Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 446 of 2015)

Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 363 of 2015)

Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 109 of 2015)

Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 62 of 2015)

Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 29 of 2015)

Local Government (Appointment of Chief Executive) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 589 of 2014)

Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014)

Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 314 of 2014)

National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number of Members) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 298 of 2014)

National Oversight and Audit Commission (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 297 of 2014)

Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 236 of 2014)

Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 235 of 2014)

Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 234 of 2014)

Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in Respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 231 of 2014)

Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 230 of 2014)

Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 226 of 2014)

County of Wicklow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 70 of 2014)

County of Wexford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 69 of 2014)

County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 68 of 2014)

City and County of Waterford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 67 of 2014)

County of Tipperary Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 66 of 2014)

County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 65 of 2014)

County of Sligo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 64 of 2014)

County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 63 of 2014)

County of Offaly Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 62 of 2014)

County of Monaghan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 61 of 2014)

County of Meath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 60 of 2014)

County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 59 of 2014)

County of Louth Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 58 of 2014)

County of Longford Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 57 of 2014)

City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 56 of 2014)

County of Leitrim Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 55 of 2014)

County of Laois Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 54 of 2014)

County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 53 of 2014)

County of Kildare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 52 of 2014)

County of Kerry Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 51 of 2014)

County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 50 of 2014)

City of Galway Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 49 of 2014)

County of Fingal Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 47 of 2014)

County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 46 of 2014)

City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2014 (S.I. No. 45 of 2014)

County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 44 of 2014)

County of Cork Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 43 of 2014)

County of Clare Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 42 of 2014)

County of Cavan Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 41 of 2014)

County of Carlow Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 (S.I. No. 40 of 2014)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 37 of 2014)

Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 8 of 2014)

Local Government Act 2001 (Appointment of Manager)(Waterford) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 583 of 2013)

Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council)(Waterford) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 582 of 2013)

Local Government (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 457 of 2013)

Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 456 of 2013)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 455 of 2013)

Local Government Act 2001 (section 230) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 447 of 2013) (S.I. No. 447 of 2013)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 446 of 2013) (S.I. No. 446 of 2013)

Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council) (Tipperary) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 430 of 2013)

Local Government Act 2001 (Appointment of Manager) (Tipperary) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 429 of 2013)

Copyright and Related Rights (Public Lending Remuneration Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 221 of 2013)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 406 of 2012)

Local Government Act 2001 (Specified Council) (Limerick) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 271 of 2012)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 157 of 2012)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 50 of 2012)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 573 of 2011)

European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 447 of 2011)

Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011)

Housing (Transfer of Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 85 of 2011)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 37 of 2010)

Copyright and Related Rights (Public Lending Remuneration Scheme) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 597 of 2008)

Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 467 of 2008)

Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 55 of 2008)

Roads and Road Vehicles (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 815 of 2007)

Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 708 of 2007)

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts Ratepayer Plebiscite) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 166 of 2007)

Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 674 of 2006)

Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 668 of 2006)

Local Government Act 2001 (Bye-Laws) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 362 of 2006)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 361 of 2006)

Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 770 of 2004)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 217 of 2004)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 216 of 2004)

Athlone Town Boundary Alteration (Supplementary) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 705 of 2003)

Local Government (Audit Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 622 of 2003)

Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 302 of 2003)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 274 of 2003)

Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003)

Local Government (Tenure of Office of Managers) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 47 of 2003)

Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 28 of 2003)

Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Section 231) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 531 of 2002)

Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 508 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 5) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 507 of 2002)

Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 378 of 2002)

Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 281 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 4) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 250 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 218 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (County Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 214 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 213 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Meetings) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 66 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 65 of 2002)

Local Government Act 2001 (Establishment Day) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 591 of 2001)

Local Government Act 2001 (Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 590 of 2001)

Local Government Act 2001 (County and City Development Boards) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 589 of 2001)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 588 of 2001)

Local Government (Representational Payment For Members) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 552 of 2001)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 551 of 2001)

Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 458 of 2001)

Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 499 of 1997)

All statutory instruments up to and including Income Tax (Employments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 1 of 2024), made 4 January 2024, were considered in the preparation of this revision.