Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
152. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new regulations under Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 regarding the holding of plebiscites to change placenames will be resolved; when amendments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5806/23]
View answerProvisions relating to placename changes in Part 18 of the amended Local Government Act 2001 were commenced in early 2019. Previous provisions under local government legislation were repealed. In addition, provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, amending Part 18 of the 2001 Act, were commenced.
The commenced provisions under the amended Part 18 of the 2001 Act require updated Regulations to be made for the holding of plebiscites to change placenames.
However, in advance of making those Regulations, my Department is engaging with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the interaction of the amended Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 and provisions contained in Official Languages legislation, under the aegis of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Once a policy approach and draft legislative amendments have been agreed, it is hoped to include them in an appropriate Bill at the earliest available opportunity.
