Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
397. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a specific policy within his Department that seeks to preclude those elected to local authorities from any boards that he may appoint; the rationale behind any such policy; the way in which it aligns with encouraging participation in local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52858/26]
View answer398. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to commit to preparing legislation to not automatically exclude members of local authorities from consideration for appointment to State boards; and to set out the reasons such persons would be excluded. [52876/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.
The conditions for appointment of an individual to the board of a particular State body are set out in that State body's establishing legislation and are a matter for the Minister with responsibility for that legislation. Where the establishing legislation provides that a person may not serve on a board while also holding elected office, including membership of a local authority, those statutory provisions apply.
In addition, all appointments are made in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the relevant Government guidelines governing appointments to State boards. These frameworks are intended to promote high standards of governance, accountability, transparency, independence and the appropriate management of conflicts of interest.
There is no provision in the Local Government Act 2001, as amended that automatically excludes an elected member of a local authority from consideration for appointment to State boards.
There are currently no plans to introduce legislation in respect of councillors' appointment to State boards.
