COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 12, 2010
QUESTION NO.21
QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
To ask the Manager if the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or his officials has had any formal discussions with him as Manager, or any Council officials, about anticipated changes in the functions and powers of South Dublin County Council, including its reserved functions, which will come into effect if and when a directly elected Dublin Region Mayor takes office?
REPLY:
Correspondence was received from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government attaching copy of the draft scheme of the Local Government (Dublin Mayor and Regional Authority) Bill 2010. (and subsequently issued Transport proposals). The letter stated that in view of the new institutional architecture for the governance of Dublin provided for in the General Scheme the Department wanted to engage with the Dublin Local Authorities and the Regional Authority in advance of the enactment of the Bill to ensure smooth implementation and assist in addressing any outstanding issues arising from the Bill. The Department asked each Authority to nominate a senior official from the Council to participate in an Implementation Group to assist in this process.
The group has met four times. The terms of reference of the Group are to:-
- Advise the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the legislative provisions to give effect to the new institutional arrangements, within framework agreed by Government;
- To advise, as and if necessary, on any matters in relation to the election of the Mayor;
- Consider the practical arrangements necessary for establishing the new Office, including the provision of finance, staffing, accommodation and identify any other resources which may be required;
- Consider the arrangements to give effect to the statutory powers contained in the Bill, and the necessary changes within the local authorities in Dublin, and the Dublin Regional Authority, to facilitate those changes;
- Draw up an implementation plan to give effect to the above.
- The participation of officials from a local authority in Dublin, or from the Dublin Regional Authority, is without prejudice to any views which a local authority or Regional Authority may have on any particular issue in relation to the proposed Mayor and Regional Authority for Dublin.
To date the group have commented on legislative and organisational anomolies within the draft, have submitted details of potential funding requirements of the office. This information has been passed to the those drafting the Bill.