Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that the commitment given with regard to access for Oireachtas Members to local authority structures, management, directors of service and others involved in the local authority system is being honoured in view of the commitment to Dáil Éireann during the passage of legislation to abolish the dual mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16724/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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From the commencement of the single mandate for elective local government, local authorities were required to make specific arrangements to provide a reasonable level of service for Oireachtas Members and facilitate them in carrying out their work on behalf of local communities. These arrangements provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas Members by the local authority, and equivalent systems, procedures and timeframes to those used in relation to correspondence from local authority members apply also in respect of Oireachtas Members.

Managers are required to meet at least annually with local Oireachtas Members and thus provide an opportunity for an update on developments and for any difficulties encountered to be raised and addressed. This is additional to normal and regular contacts between public representatives and local authority officials regarding particular problems or issues.

Quite apart from the regulations in this area, I expect that any issues around the operation of these arrangements will be resolved as local authorities and Oireachtas Members become more familiar with the process. I intend to contact local authorities this year to obtain information on the practical application of the scheme to date. Arising from this, I will, if necessary, issue supplementary guidance to local authorities taking account of the responses on the matter.

I am concerned that local authorities should at all times facilitate parliamentary representatives in both the spirit and the letter of the regulations in relation to the timely provision of local authority documentation.