Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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394. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when his Department will release the details of providing a plebiscite for the change of place names under the Local Government Acts 1946 and 1955; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for the changing of placenames by local authorities. The adopting of a proposal to change a placename, the consideration of submissions in relation to such a proposal, and the decision to hold a ballot of qualified electors are reserved functions of the elected members.

Provisions relating to placename changes in Part 18 of the amended Local Government Act 2001 were commenced in early 2019. Previous provisions under local government legislation were repealed. In addition, provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, amending Part 18 of the 2001 Act, were commenced.

Part 18 provides that Regulations can be made for the holding of plebiscites to change placenames. However, before Regulations could be made, issues were identified in respect of the interaction of the amended Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 and provisions contained in Official Languages legislation.

It is expected that a resolution to the legislative complexities that exist between the Local Government Acts and Official Languages Act may require primary legislation to resolve. The matter will be considered further by my Department in consultation with the relevant officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. There are a number of policy decisions that will have to be finalised between both Departments, and considered by Government, particularly in relation to the role of the Council and the role of the Minister with responsibility for the Official Languages Act and the Placenames Commission.

Work will continue with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on the resolution of the placenames issue, with a view to agreeing revised policy and identification of any required legislative change. This is a complex matter to which careful consideration will have to be given.