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

The Bill provides that a local authority may, by resolution, delegate any of its functions to municipal district level and may also revoke such a delegation. The purpose of the amendment is to add a requirement on the members of the overall local authority to consult with the municipal district members for the district concerned before deciding by resolution to revoke, under section 131A(2)(b) of the 2001 Act, a delegation of the function to the municipal district members concerned, which had previously been made by the local authority under section 131A(2)(a).

During the debates on Committee Stage and Report Stage in the Dáil, Deputy Catherine Murphy tabled amendments to section 21(3) of the Bill which inserts a new section 131A in the Local Government Act 2001, dealing with the performance of reserve functions at municipal district level, including the procedure for revocation of a delegation to the district level. During the debate, I indicated that I would bring forward an amendment in the Seanad providing for consultation with municipal district members prior to any decision to revoke a delegation order. This amendment provides accordingly. It enhances the status of the municipal district members and ensures their views are canvassed and taken into account in advance of any decision being taken at plenary level. The elected members for each district will perform functions of the local authority on a devolved basis for the district, thereby increasing subsidiarity and making local government more responsive and as close as possible to local communities. The Bill specifies in the region of 70 reserve functions assigned to the elected members at municipal district level. The municipal districts will operate as distinct decision-making components within an integrated local authority structure.

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