asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received any representations from any or all of the following local authorities, viz. (a) Dublin Corporation, (b) Dublin County Council, and (c) Dún Laoghaire Borough Council requesting amendment of the City and County Management Act so as to provide for the appointment of separate managers for each of the authorities concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of City and County Management Act.
Amending legislation would not be necessary to provide for the appointment of separate managers for Dublin City and Dublin County. Section 14 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, provides a statutory procedure for degrouping these local administrative areas for management purposes. I have received representations a few days ago from the Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Borough Council to the effect that they wish the borough to be given the status of a county borough.
Is the Minister aware that representations were submitted on behalf of Dublin Corporation as far back as August, 1955, that a subsequent request was submitted for the reception of a deputation, representing that body, in connection with this matter and that to date no deputation has been received, and further, what action does the Minister propose to take in the matter?
I am aware of what the Deputy says and I am also aware of the statutory rights of the two bodies and that a resolution was passed by Dublin Corporation on August 8th, 1955, and is still under consideration.
Would the Minister not agree that a local authority representing 600,000 people—one-third of the population—should surely be entitled to its own local administration, or does the Minister endorse, what many of us suspect to be correct, that local government is, in effect, only a mirage——
That is an entirely separate question.
——and that the effective power lies in the hands of the Department?
That is a separate question.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I desire, with your permission, Sir, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.