Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am satisfied with the way in which the legislation is drafted. Under local government legislation, it is the elected members who set the policy of the local authority. Therefore, any direction relating to local authority policy would be in respect of a decision of the elected members. The fact that the direction in writing issues from the pen of the local authority chief executive reflects the reality of the issuance of such an authority. As I indicated, under local government legislation, policy is set by the elected members.