Seanad debates
Wednesday, 26 February 2003
Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage.
Section 3 deals with the entitlements of Oireachtas Members who request information – be it notice of meetings or agendas – from local authorities. The section states that the matters to which the guidelines may relate include correspondence with Members of either House, supply of information generally and such other matters as the Minister may consider appropriate and local authorities shall, in so far as is practical, follow these guidelines. That is the minimum. I hope that Oireachtas Members would be able to discuss estimates. They should also be able to discuss county development plans and receive prior notice of planning applications. I have not served on a local authority in ten years, but it is difficult to obtain information on planning, which is an important issue.
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