Organisation

Name Change

There is provision for change of name of a town, townland or non-municipal town.  There was a consultation procedure on behalf of the local authority or other authority.  Certain bodies must be notified.  Submissions must be requested and received.

There is provision for final adoption of the proposal by the elected members.  The consent of a majority of the electors in the areas concerned is required by way of a local plebiscite.

Former LG Commission

The 2001 Act established the Local Government Commission. Its functions are to make recommendations on a range of boundary, electoral and other matters arising under the Act. It is to meet from time-to-time as necessary. It was abolshed by the 2014 Act.

The Commission’s members were independent in the performance of their functions. They included reporting and recommendations regarding alteration of local authority boundaries, deal with local electoral areas and members assigned to each area, alteration of the number of authorities, applications for establishment of new Town Council.

The Minister could request the Commission to report on any aspects of local government. The reports of the Commission are to be published.

Boundary Change

There is a procedure for naming of streets, change of name of streets or localities which are in broadly similar terms.  A local plebiscite is required.  Regulations may be made dealing with procedural matters in respect of a change of name.  Local authority may display the names of streets.

The maritime boundary of a local authority is the high water mark at the time being, unless already extended further.  Reclaimed land and structures automatically will become members of part of the local authority area.

The provision for alteration of local authority boundaries is set out.  The local authority may adopt proposal to alter its boundaries.  A consultation process with another local authority affected and with the public must take place.  The boundary alteration proposal and the statement of response by other parties are considered and decided by the elected members.

A local authority boundary alteration may be affected by Ministerial order.  Reasons must be given for any variation to that recommended.  The order may be annulled by either House of the Oireachtas.

The Minister on some cases, other Ministers of the government may make a supplementary order for matters consequential on a boundary adjustment such as adaptation of enactments, new arrangements in relation to electoral members and development plans and maps, etc.

Establishment of Bodies

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may by order establish a body to provide services for the Minister or for local authority.  It will have regard to aims including efficiencies in providing services, resources available, consistency of standards, regionalisation and the reduction in the overall number of state bodies.

The Minister may by order establish bodies to provide services to the Minister or local authority.  Services must relate to the performance of Minister’s functions and local authority functions.  Services that may be provided by bodies established under the legislation include provision of shared and central services, management and organisation of industrial relations and human resources issue, provision of administration services, arrangement, coordination of social and economic regeneration services, provision of procurement services, provision of consultancy and strategic planning services.

In the case of revocation, the Minister may transfer, distribute property and liabilities of a body.  The Minister may make provisions and revocation order for preparation finally accounts and reports.

The Minister may transfer assets and liabilities of any bodies listed in the provision.  Provisions as may be necessary to give effect are provided for.  The transfer order, may serve existing contracts, continue the legal proceedings, arrange to provide transfer of staff, pensions, provide for the final accounts and dissolutions.

Dissolution of Bodies

The 2014 Act dissolved and reorgnanised various bodies. With the exception of Irish Water Safety all bodies were  merged or subsumed into other bodies.  The Act provided for dissolution of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna and the transfer its functions.

The following bodies were dissolved: the Local Government Computer Services Board,  the Fire Services Council, the Local Government Management Services Board, the Affordable Houses Partnership, Irish Water Safety, Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency, Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency.

2019 Reorganisation

The purpose of the Local Government Act 2019 is to provide for the transfer of part of the administrative area of Cork County Council to the administrative area of Cork City Council and for the implementation arrangements related to that, to provide for a single chief executive position in respect of both Galway City and Galway County Councils to initiate administrative integration across those two local authorities and to amend local government legislation.

Local Government Act 2019 alters the boundary by transferring the relevant area indicated on a map (deposited at the offices of the Minister’s Department for the purpose of the boundary alteration.

The County Council development plan and relevant local area plans will continue to apply to the relevant area after the transfer day until such time as Cork City Council makes replacement plans or variations.

Rules, regulations and by-laws already applicable to the relevant area will continue to apply after the transfer day for one year or such further period as is specified by the City Council. Cork City Council may also resolve to extend any of its by-laws, rules and regulations to the relevant area.

The Act makes a number of amendments to Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 to provide that e boundary alterations can be effected by Ministerial order only where the local authorities concerned are in agreement.

Local Government Act 2019  amends the  Local Government Act 2001 by inserting a section to provide for a single chief executive with dual responsibility for Galway City Council and Galway County Council.