Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the protocol that exists for local authorities on receipt of representations from Members of the Oireachtas; if this protocol is universal to all local authorities; if she is satisfied that all members receive equal priority in response to representations submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30602/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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, as set out in Articles 8, 9, and 10 of the Local Government Act, 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations, 2003 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. In addition, county/city 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.

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 to members of the Oireachtas carrying out their work on behalf of local communities. In that regard, a review of the arrangements for access by Oireachtas members to information in local authorities is currently underway in my Department. This review is focusing on how the system is working in practice and on what improvements might be made. I expect the review to be completed early in the New Year