Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to roll back the powers of city and county managers and expand the role of local elected representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38630/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Local Government Act 2001 responsibility for the performance of local authority functions is shared between the elected council and the manager, with the council having the pre-eminent role through its determination of the policy and budgetary framework, and its powers of oversight and direction of the activities of the local authority.

The local government modernisation programme provides an enhanced role for elected members in policy formulation and review, in partnership with representatives of the social partners and sectoral interests through the establishment of strategic policy committees. The role of the elected member is further strengthened through the operation of the corporate policy group, which comprises the cathaoirleach and the chairs of the strategic policy committees. Additionally, local authorities have a lead role and wider sphere of influence in the county and city development board, CDB, system. The CDBs allow elected members a direct input into the services provided by other public bodies at local level.

The role of the locally elected representative has also been enhanced by the creation of the single mandate, the improved financial support framework for members and better training and information opportunities. I am determined to intensify and consolidate the gains made through the modernisation programme and, in particular, to promote improvements in performance and in service delivery by local authorities to their communities. Elected members will continue to have a key role in ensuring that their local authorities deliver on this change agenda.