Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that Members of the Oireachtas have the required access to local authorities in accordance with commitments given to Dáil Éireann under the passage of the legislation to abolish the dual mandate; his views on whether the general public is being best served in the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9741/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Government Act, 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas Members by a local authority such as a local authority budget or draft development plan. Equivalent systems, procedures and timeframes to those used for correspondence from local authority members apply also to 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.

As indicated in earlier replies to questions on this topic, I am concerned that local authorities should at all times facilitate parliamentary representatives, in both the spirit and the letter of the regulations, on the timely provision of local authority documentation to Members of the Oireachtas carrying out their work on behalf of local communities.

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.