# local government
This year
2023
What's happening in the plans for a directly elected mayor for Dublin?
Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu said the government has the mandate to run an election for a directly elected mayor for Dublin next year. If they don’t do this, she said it is very plausible that one won’t be in place until 2029.
Limerick to vote for Ireland's first directly elected mayor in 2024
The vote will happen alongside next year’s local and European elections.
Dozens more inspectors needed to tackle the 'wicked problem' of farm water pollution
The report found there to be just 11 full-time equivalent council staff for farm inspections across the country.
Poll: Is there enough coverage of NI elections across the island?
Some have suggested that the NI election didn’t get enough media attention in the south.
Sinn Féin storming ahead in historic Northern Ireland local election
If Sinn Féin continues its winning streak, it will be the first time a nationalist party has had the most council seats in Northern Ireland.
Gardaí begin enquiries into 'alleged breaches of the Local Government Act' in Munster region
It’s understood the Garda enquiries relate to the sale of land owned by Limerick County Council a number of years ago.
FG councillor taking legal advice as she claims council is 'blocking' broadcasting meetings
A vote taken in 2021 saw Laois County Council approve providing finances for livestreaming its meetings.
All time
A useful guide to Ireland's planning system and how to have your say on proposed developments
News of two developments brought the system into focus again this week.
Michael Pidgeon: Why the left - including Sinn Féin - should support property taxes
The Green Party councillor says 90% of Ireland’s household wealth is tied up in property and that we should keep taxing it.
Government signs-off on plan for directly elected mayor for Limerick
An election will be held later this year if the public health situation allows it.
Maternity leave for councillors to be examined by all-female group
Councillors, TDs and senators currently have no right to take maternity leave.
Over €140,000 given to 23 projects to help women and people from minority groups become councillors
A Female Councillor Caucus in Cork and a Migrant-Councillor Forum in Kilkenny are some of the projects that were supported.
Amsterdam has banned tour groups from sex workers’ windows in red light district
The move is an attempt to address over-tourism and protect workers.
Cabinet approve citizens' assemblies on gender equality and Dublin's local government
The Assembly on gender equality will look at “the remaining barriers facilitating gender discrimination”.
Opinion: Directly elected mayors would be good for democracy
Citizens of some cities will vote on Friday as to whether to introduce a directly elected mayor – the move would boost local government, writes Deiric Ó Broin .
Varadkar backs London's directly elected mayor model for Dublin
The Taoiseach has said that borough councils should be established directly under a Mayor’s office.
Call to tackle 'significant underrepresentation' of women in senior council roles
Just under three in 10 Chief Executive (28%) and Director of Services (26%) roles in local authorities nationally are held by women.
Opinion: Cutting constituency sizes will cut left wing councillors by 75% and women by 25%
It’s well-known that the smaller the number of people elected in a constituency, the less likely the election result will reflect the actual vote, writes Oliver Moran.
Calls for homes on AirBnB to be registered with local councils
The Housing Committee recommended that short term lettings of more than 90 days annually should require change-of-use planning permission.
Opinion: Ireland's weakness is a lack of indigenous businesses
We need to see decentralisation to Irish cities, towns and rural areas in order to promote bottom-up enterprise development, writes Professor Eoin O’Leary.
Councillors across the country are getting a pay rise (except for ones in Dublin, Cork and Galway)
Municipal councillors will soon be entitled to €1,000 extra.
Plans to merge libraries criticised as 'wholly shoddy and unacceptable'
Will your county be affected?
Workers threaten to strike over Roscommon Council's 'bullyboy tactics'
Up to 150 employees are unhappy with measures being implemented by the local authority.
Advocacy service for deaf people closes after funding cut, leaves '5,000 at risk'
The Irish Deaf Society said its members now face “further social exclusion”.
From today there are just 31 local authorities in Ireland
New reforms in local government mean councils will have greater policy development powers and a clearer role in economic development.
Oversight and Audit Commission to scrutinise local government spending
Minister Phil Hogan is looking for expressions of interest from people suitable to sit on the Commission.
Ibec aren't a political party, but if they were, this is what their local election manifesto would say
They want a cut in local Government charges for businesses.
Local authorities haven't collected over €355 million owed to them
In 2012, arrears increased by €33 million, or approximately 10 per cent, compared to 2011, where rates arrears came to €323 million.
Local authorities get cash to spruce up public spaces ahead of tourist season
Minister Hogan has announced a total of €2.975 million in funding.
Poll: Do you plan to vote in the local elections?
The local elections will be held in May – will you head to the polling stations?
Donegal councillors have to agree a budget next Monday - or they'll be removed
And Phil ‘Big Phil’ Hogan will be doing the removal…
Local authorities will outline priorities for storm repair funding
The response to the storms will first be assessed by local authorities before a preliminary report is then brought to Government next week.
Windows in rented accommodation are not inspected for safety
The Dublin City Coroner has called for mandatory safety catches, but local authorities don’t inspect windows, it has been revealed.
Local government model and funding to "change considerably" this year
When Irish Water takes over water services, Minister Hogan said local authorities will have lower funding needs.
Dáil debates bill to deal with 'crisis in Irish towns'
The government has declined to accept a private members’ bill put forward by Fianna Fáil in the Dáil today.
Local Government Fund expenditure estimated at €1.21bn this year
The General Purpose Grant that funds the day-to-day activities of local councils has been steadily falling for most councils for the last three years.
"Arrogant" Phil Hogan's visit to be greeted with protest by Letterkenny councillors
Councillors are up in arms over plans to scrap the local authority. The town’s mayor will mention the issue in a speech attended by Hogan on Friday.
Council of Europe report criticises power of local government in Ireland
The European Council report says that Ireland has improved, but needs to devolve more power to local authorities.
Hogan on Dublin mayor plan: 'I might be 6' 5'' but I'm not going to lean in any direction'
The Minister isn’t giving much away about whether or not he’d like a directly-elected mayor for the capital.
Hogan unveils 'the most radical reform of local government in 100 years'
“With this bill we intend to to build a better, stronger, more efficient, more responsive and more accountable system of local government,” Hogan said today.
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