Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to proceed with plans to make the planning process more democratic and to rebalance power towards elected representatives; his views on whether it is desirable that before a local authority acquires any land or an asset it should seek the approval and consent of the elected members of that local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32877/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The planning code is kept under review in my Department to ensure that there continues to be adequate participation by public representatives in decision-making and policy formulation.

The local government system is based on the principle that major decisions of policy rest with the elected council (reserved functions), with the implementation of this policy on a day-to-day basis resting with the City or County Manager (executive functions). Under the Local Government Act 2001 the acquisition or disposal of land or an agreement regarding the use of land is an Executive Function.