COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That preparations be made for the holding of a plebiscite to have the correct name restored to Palmerstown Village and that a time frame and strategy be brought to this LAC for consideration."

REPORT:

As previously discussed at the June ACM the costs associated with holding a plebiscite are considerable and no budgetary provision has been made for such a plebiscite.  Advice is still awaited from the Law Department on the areas that can or cannot be excluded from a potential plebiscite for the area.  It is therefore premature to prepare for the holding of a plebiscite.

Once the advice has been received a report will be brought to the ACM for its consideration and if at that point the Members decide that a plebiscite should take place then it will be listed on the next Council meeting agenda for consideration.  Following that the stages in the process are as follows:-

  1. A request is received to have a name changed by plebiscite
  2. The request goes to Council for approval for a plebiscite of qualified electors
  3. A draft list of qualified electors (Electoral Roll) is prepared by the Returning Officer. The names on the roll shall be numbered consecutively
  4. An advertisement is placed in local papers stating details of proposed name change, and stating where the draft list of qualified electors can be viewed
  5. Any objections to the list of qualified electors must be lodged within a 3 week period.
  6. The final list of qualified electors (Electoral Roll) is formally adopted by Council
  7. Once adopted the plebiscite is initiated.
  8. Ballot papers are sent by ordinary post to every person whose name is on the electoral roll along with a prepaid postage envelope addressed to the returning officer for return of ballot paper.
  9. Ballot papers must be signed in the presence of the witness who must also sign the form
  10. Counting of papers takes place and result of Ballot determined – the majority of qualified electors must be in favour of the change
  11. Decision is informed to Council. In accordance with Section 79 of the Local Government Act 1946 (as amended) the Council may change the name of the locality. This is a reserved function of the Council.
Based on the time frame of the conduction of the last plebiscite from agreement at the Council meeting to the holding of the plebiscite to the adoption of its result, it would take approximately six months.