Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to enact new legislation to ensure the sustainable future development of cemeteries; and if he will ensure that the development of new burial grounds is not left in the hands of speculators in view of the fact that many graveyards in Dublin have reached or are nearing full capacity and there is a necessity to provide additional burial grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12738/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, local authorities are deemed to be burial boards for their respective functional areas. Acting in their capacity as burial boards, local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds in their functional area. With the coming into effect of the Local Government Act 1994 Ministerial consent, for the use of land as a burial ground, is no longer required. Therefore, ensuring the adequate provision of burial facilities, in their functional areas, is entirely a matter for the relevant local authority. There are currently no plans to introduce new legislation in relation to burial grounds.