Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities 2023 Report on the Application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Ireland made a number of recommendations, including to encourage Ireland's signature of the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority (CETS No. 207). The Rapporteurs also noted that they would welcome Ireland's signature of the Additional Protocol to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (ETS No 159).

In responding to the Report at the 45th Session of Congress in Strasbourg last October, my colleague, Mr Kieran O'Donnell TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning acknowledged that Ireland was well positioned to be able to meet the obligations of the Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority, particularly as a consequence of the civic participation mechanisms introduced in the Local Government Reform Act 2014. In this regard, my Department is committed to engaging with the Department of Rural and Community Development with a view to progressing towards signing the Additional Protocol (CETS No. 207) in the near future.

My Department will also give due consideration to the signature of the Additional Protocol to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (ETS No 159). As matters stand, however there is currently nothing to preclude local authorities and regional assemblies from such co-operation. Indeed, I would note that there is already strong engagement between local authorities in a cross-border context.