Petition
Current Details
| Reference Number: | P00009/15 |
| Status: | Petition Lapsed on the Dissolution of Dáil Éireann |
| Name of Petitioner: | Julie Grace |
| Petition Title: | Oversight and Regulation of Local Authorities in Ireland |
| Submitted By: | Individual |
| Petition Text: | The Minister for Environment and Local Government provides public monies to Local Authorities (LA's). Under the current regime, the Minister delegates all responsibility to the LA CEO for the proper use of the funding provided. Where there is an alleged improper use of funding, the Minister disclaims responsibility or oversight.
The LA CEO does not answer to the Minister for "operational decisions"; is not answerable to elected councillors about executive actions/decisions on some matters (e.g. recruitment practices); and enjoys the benefit of the public purse to disregard and dismiss legitimate queries or complaints of public interest. Complaints from the public about actions of LA executives stop at the LA CEO.
There is not any independent and impartial complaints service for LA customers or citizens; decisions of the Ombudsman are not binding. Neither is local government subject to the audit oversight of the Comptroller and Auditor General, although over €4bn. of public monies is spent annually by LA's. Dept. 'Audit Service Reports' make recommendations if or when irregularities are found. The LA CEO retains the privilege to ignore/defer recommendations.
The Minister is absolved from responsibility for actions of LA's by the current Local Government legislation. I believe this highlights deficits of accountability in the democratic process. Neither the Minister nor the elected members have appropriate levels of responsibility or oversight for the publicly-funded actions of LA executives. I believe this a system failure that is adverse to natural justice and democracy, and not in the best interests of the citizen. |
Historical Details
| 2) | Status: | Being Examined For Compliance With Standing Orders | | | Date: | 04 Oct 2016 | | 1) | Status: | Being Examined For Compliance With Standing Orders | | | Date: | 19 Mar 2015 |
Published: 09 Jan 2017 12:44:37
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