John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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On 21 June 2018 I announced that I was commissioning a review of the role of elected members of local authorities. I appointed Ms. Sara Moorhead SC to conduct this review, which is being informed by input from my Department as well as the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The review is now underway. Ms. Moorhead has held a number of meetings with both Departments as well as councillors' representative organisations. My Department has also received submissions for consideration from key stakeholders and will shortly be undertaking wider consultation with local authorities as well as individual councillors.

The review is due to produce an interim report within five months of the commencement of its work, with the timing of a final report to be considered thereafter. When the review is completed, its findings will be the subject of discussion between both Departments. It will be submitted thereafter for the consideration of the Government and published in due course.