COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, April 15, 2019

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor B. Leech

That this Area Committee should consider changing the name of the new Dromcarra Infill from Gort La to Dromcarra View.

REPORT:

This new Local Authority development has been named, numbered and occupied, therefore any proposal to change the name must be considered in the context of a prescribed procedure.

The statutory procedure to change the official name of a street, place or locality is set out in the Local Government Act, 1946, the Local Government (Changing of Placenames) Regulations 1956, as amended by S. 67 LG Act 1994. Changes to the name can only be done by way of conducting a plebiscite of the qualified electors in the area and the consent of the majority of qualified electors is required for any change to be made by resolution of the Council.

In accordance with S. 67 of the Local Government Act 1994 "Qualified Electors" means:

- every person who in relation to the urban district, town, townland, non-municipal town, street or locality,  as the case may be is registered as a local government elector in the register of local government electors for the time being in force, or

- not being so registered is the rated occupier of a hereditament other than a hereditament the valuation of which attracts an allowance equal to full abatement of rates pursuant to section 3 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978 .

In summary the following would be required:-

  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.