Local authority committees

Information

In a number of areas of local government activity in Ireland, more indepth discussion and consideration of matters can take place at committee level, rather than at meetings of the full council. Following on from the Government's discussion paper Better Local Government, a new and more structured committee system was introduced for county and city councils in Ireland. This new system replaced some of the ad-hoc committees which had evolved over the years.

Creating a local authority committee

To create a committee, the Council passes a resolution at a Council meeting. The committee must consist of at least 3 members of the Council. You cannot be a member of a local authority committee if you are not a member of the Council unless you have knowledge, qualifications or experience relating to the functions of the committee.

The Council can, by resolution, delegate some its functions to a committee if at least ½ of the members of the Council vote in favour of the resolution. However, it cannot delegate the adoption of the annual local authority budget. The Council also cannot delegate the power to create the Development Plan, decide on rates or borrow money.

County and City Councils must establish a Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) to formulate, develop, monitor and review policy relating to the authority's functions. The Strategic Policy Committee must advise the local authority on policy.

County and City Councils may also establish area committees, which cover one or more electoral areas within the authority's area. Area committees allow specific local issues to be identified, debated and resolved locally. For example, an area committee might deal with the regeneration or community development of a particular area in a city or county.

Borough and Town Councils may establish Municipal Policy Committees (MPC) to carry out the same duties as the SPC.

Two or more local authorities can establish joint committees to perform the functions of the local authorities.