Operational Review of Local Government Arrangements
Terms of Reference and Membership
Local Government Advisory Group and Local Government Forum
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has initiated an
operational review of the new local government arrangements under the Local
Government Reform Act 2014. This will be undertaken through a process similar to
that which applied previously in the development and implementation of the local
government reform programme, involving a high level Advisory Group and an
associated working group, the Local Government Forum, for engagement with local
authority members on policy and governance matters. The terms of reference and
proposed membership of these groups are set out in the following paragraphs.
Local Government Advisory Group –Terms of Reference
To consider the operation, to date, of the revised local government structures and
arrangements, and on-going implementation of the local government reform
programme; and provide on-going advice, views or proposals, as appropriate, in that
regard with particular reference to: 
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the operation of the municipal district arrangements, particularly the exercise of
powers and functions by elected members and in that context, to ensure that the
new system is being operated effectively and as intended;
how the various components of the new local government system are working
and interacting e.g. the executive and the full elected council, the executive and
municipal districts, the full council and municipal districts, municipal districts and
other municipal districts, municipal districts and local communities;
the operation of the merged local authorities, with particular reference to
city/county councils (Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford), including the impact of the
mergers in relation to matters such as governance, strategic functions,
organisational change, administrative savings, streamlining of operations and
services, and efficiency aspects generally;
the role of local government in relation to urban areas, including economic and
social aspects, and in maximising the impact of urban centres as driving forces
for the well-being of their wider districts;
the performance by local authority elected members of governance (including
financial) functions generally (including through audit committee work
programmes), and related issues, including member’s workload, and civic
aspects such as the designation of the office of mayor;
the performance of economic development functions and related spatial planning
matters at regional and local level, including the formulation of Local Economic
and Community Plans and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, and the
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various roles of relevant parties, particularly non-statutory economic fora,
Strategic Planning Area Committees and regional assembly staff, and coordination with other agencies and strategies, particularly in the enterprise and
skills areas;
the experience, impact and outcome generally to date of local government
reforms and consideration of and provision of information, views and advice on,
other specific aspects of the operation and development of the local government
system, as appropriate, including:  possible further expansion of the role of local government,
 input and matters arising from the work of the Local Government Forum,
 any matters arising from current reviews of local government
arrangements and boundaries,
 any issues raised by local authorities or regional assemblies,
 any matters referred by the Minister/Department, or by other Departments
or relevant agencies, or which the Group considers necessary in
addressing its terms of reference.
Local Government Advisory Group - Membership
 Paul Lemass (Assistant Secretary, D/ECLG), Chair
 Tom Barry (former Carlow Chief Executive)
 Richard Boyle, IPA
 Peter Carey (Kildare Chief Executive)
 Denis Conlan (D/ECLG)
 Maurice Coughlan (D/ECLG)
 Niall Cussen (D/ECLG)
 Gerry Finn (Northern and Western Regional Assembly)
 Senator Denis Landy
 Joe Mac Grath (Tipperary Chief Executive)
 Padraig McNally (AILG)
 Michael Murphy (D/ECLG)
 Seamus Neely (Donegal Chief Executive)
 Philomena Poole (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Chief Executive)
 Tom Ryan (former Director AILG)
 Jeanette Young (D/ECLG), Secretary
There will also be wider participation, where appropriate (including, if necessary,
relevant expertise on more technical issues). It is envisaged that the advisory
process will operate in a relatively informal and flexible way, with possible variation in
participation on the Advisory Group or the Forum depending on particular matters
under consideration.
Local Government Forum –Terms of Reference
To provide a forum for structured engagement between central government and local
authority elected members, as represented by the Association of Irish Local
Government, in relation to matters of governance and policy in local government,
with particular reference to: 
obtaining views of local authority members regarding the effect of local
government reforms, particularly with regard to the functions and workload of
councillors;
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facilitating input by local authority members on aspects of national policy relevant
to local government;
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maximising effectiveness in local authority governance, including financial
governance; and
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providing input to, and considering issues referred by, the Advisory Group or by
the Department.
Local Government Forum - Membership
 Tom Barry (former Carlow Chief Executive), Chair
 Councillor Colm Brophy (South Dublin County Council)
 Maurice Coughlan (D/ECLG)
 Councillor Pat Daly (Clare County Council)
 Councillor Mary Hannah Hourigan (Tipperary County Council)
 Liam Kenny (AILG)
 Gary McGuinn (D/ECLG)
 Padraig McNally (AILG)
 Tommy Moylan (AILG)
 A Chief Executive on the Advisory Group
 Brendan Buggy (D/ECLG), Secretary
 Other possible attendance, as appropriate.
June 2015