Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1521: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in line with the commitment given by his predecessor to the Houses of the Oireachtas during passage of the Bill to abolish the dual mandate, he has in mind a mechanism whereby the local authority might be required to ensure that the local authorities live up to that commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2541/06]

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, of course, additional to normal and regular contacts between public representatives and local authority officials regarding particular problems or issues.

My officials are engaged at present in gathering information from local authorities on the practical application of the scheme to date and arising from this, I will, if necessary issue supplementary guidance to local authorities taking account of the responses on the matter.