Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 72:

In page 54, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(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.”.

This amendment adds a further incentive for public authorities to assist strategic policy committees in their policy role by adding a provision that failure to meet the strategic policy committee when requested may lead to the local authority advising the appropriate Minister of this failure, while ensuring any explanation furnished is also advised. To facilitate and co-ordinate local authority activities with those of relevant public authorities, the strategic policy committee may invite the attendance of public authorities at a meeting of the committee to assist the committee in policy development. The chair of a strategic policy committee will have discretion as to whether to report to the full council on a failure or refusal of a public authority to attend. If such a refusal or failure is reported, the committee must also advise the council of the reasons for non-attendance given by the body. In this amendment, we are making an effort to enable local authorities to bring in people in the public arena who are not part of local government at the moment if they wish to do so. At the moment, that cannot happen unless the amending Acts in the relevant Departments are amended by the other Ministers. If I am waiting around for that to happen, it might take some time. In the meantime, I want to name and shame them if they do not come in.