Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether local authorities will lose their powers over planning and housing from 1 January under his new local authority reform structures and that this will lead to a lack of accountability between the local authority and the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38958/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Action Programme for Effective Local Government sets out Government decisions for a range of local government reform measures. It does not seek to remove powers in relation to planning or housing from local authorities. The Action Programme includes a new system of municipal governance at sub-county level. Elected members will perform certain reserved functions at district level without duplication of decision-making at county level, while other decisions will be taken by members at council level.

The division of functions between county and district levels will be decided by what is relevant to each level. Local matters will be dealt with at district level while those of wider strategic application will be dealt with at county level. Any matter that is to be decided within the municipal district jurisdiction will be dealt with on a fully devolved basis and will not be submitted to county level for approval, subject to certain requirements in relation to consistency.

The provision for decisions to be taken at the appropriate level of governance within the county will enhance rather than diminish accountability between the local authority and the general public.