South Dublin County Council

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South Dublin County Council

Comhairle Contae
Átha Cliath Theas
Coat of arms or logo
Logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Alan Edge, Ind
Structure
Seats40
Political groups
Elections
Last election
24 May 2019
Meeting place
County Hall, Tallaght
Website
Official website Edit this at Wikidata
Location of South Dublin in Ireland
South Dublin County Council's Logo
South Dublin County Council's modern logo, which has been in use since the early 2010s.

South Dublin County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas[1]) is the authority responsible for local government in the county of South Dublin, Ireland. It is one of three local authorities created by the Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 to succeed the former Dublin County Council before its abolition on 1 January 1994 and one of four councils in County Dublin. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The council has 40 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Mayor. The county administration is headed by a Chief Executive, Daniel McLoughlin. The county town is Tallaght, with a civic centre at Monastery Road, Clondalkin.[2] It serves a population of approximately 192,000.

The council is the third largest local authority in Ireland with a population of 265,205 (Census 2011), 90,000 households, and 6,000 businesses, covering an area of 222.74 square kilometres.[3][4] There are 183,336 local government electors and 174,349 Dáil electors registered to vote in the County Council administrative area.[5]

History

The council of the electoral County of Dublin — Belgard was established in 1985 with 26 members.[6] Its members also sat as members of Dublin County Council.[7] At the 1991 local election, the electoral county was renamed South Dublin.[8]

On 1 January 1994, under the Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993, County Dublin and Dublin County Council ceased to exist and South Dublin County Council came into being.[9][10]

The county council initially met in the Regional Technical College, Tallaght.[11] A new building, County Hall, was purpose-built for the county council and was completed in 1994.[12]

Legal status

The Local Government Act 2001 reformed the two-tier structure of local government, although South Dublin had no second-tier areas. It confirmed the size of the council as 26 members.[13] Following the Local Government Reform Act 2014 this number was increased to 40 members as part of a nationwide reallocation of local authority membership numbers.[14]

The Local Government Act 1994 defines how an authority may act.[15] The local authority may provide amenities, facilities and services related to; artistic and cultural activities, sports, games and similar activities, general recreational and leisure activities, civic improvements, environmental and heritage protection and improvement, and the public use of amenities. It may also act as a library authority.

Governance

Management

The Corporate Policy Group (CPG) consists of the Mayor together with the Chairs of each of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPC). The CPG is supported by the County Manager.[16] Its function is to co-ordinate the work of the Committees so that policy decisions can be discussed and agreed for recommendation to the full council. "The CPG acts as a sort of Cabinet for the council and is supported by the County Manager."[17]

Mayor and Deputy Mayor

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen from among the councillors.[18]

Regional Assembly

South Dublin County Council has three representatives on the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly who are part of the Dublin Strategic Planning Area Committee.[19]

Local electoral areas

South Dublin County Council is divided into the following local electoral areas.[20] These are defined by electoral divisions which were defined in 1986, with minor amendments in 1994.[21][22] The most recent polling scheme was published in 2020.[23]

LEA Definition Seats
Clondalkin Clondalkin-Dunawley, Clondalkin Village, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart;that part of the electoral division of Clondalkin-Monastery west of a line drawn along the M50 motorway; and those parts of the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Cappaghmore and Clondalkin-Moorfield south of a line drawn along the South Western Commuter and Intercity railway line 7
Firhouse–Bohernabreena Bohernabreena, Edmondstown, Firhouse-Ballycullen, Firhouse-Knocklyon and Firhouse Village 5
Lucan Lucan-St Helens, Lucan Heights; and that part of the electoral division of Lucan Esker not contained in the local electoral area of Palmerstown-Fonthill 5
PalmerstownFonthill Clondalkin-Rowlagh, Palmerston Village, Palmerston West; those parts of the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Cappaghmore and Clondalkin-Moorfield not contained in the local electoral area of Clondalkin;and that part of the electoral division of Lucan Esker to the east of a line drawn along the R136 Road 5
RathfarnhamTempleogue Ballyboden, Rathfarnham-Ballyroan, Rathfarnham-Butterfield, Rathfarnham-Hermitage, Rathfarnham-St. Endas, Rathfarnham Village, Templeogue-Cypress, Templeogue-Kimmage Manor, Templeogue-Limekiln, Templeogue-Orwell, Templeogue-Osprey, Templeogue Village, Terenure-Cherryfield, Terenure-Greentrees and Terenure-St. James;those parts of the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Ballymount, Clondalkin-Monastery and Tallaght-Kilnamanagh east of a line drawn along the M50 motorway 7
Tallaght Central Tallaght-Avonbeg, Tallaght-Belgard, Tallaght-Glenview, Tallaght-Kingswood, Tallaght-Millbrook, Tallaght-Oldbawn, Tallaght-Springfield, Tallaght-Tymon;those parts of the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Ballymount and Tallaght-Kilnamanagh not contained in the local electoral area of Rathfarnham-Templeogue; and that part of the electoral division of Tallaght-Kiltipper to the east of a line drawn along Kiltipper Way 6
Tallaght South Ballinascorney, Tallaght-Fettercairn, Tallaght-Jobstown, Tallaght-Killinardan; and that part of the electoral division of Tallaght-Kiltipper not contained in the local electoral area of Tallaght Central 5

Councillors

2019 seats summary

Party Seats
Fianna Fáil 8
Fine Gael 7
Sinn Féin 6
Green 4
PBP–Solidarity 3
Labour 2
Social Democrats 1
Independent 9

Councillors by electoral area

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 24 May 2019.[24][25]

Council members from 2019 election
Local electoral area Name Party
Clondalkin Emer Higgins[a] Fine Gael
Francis Timmons Independent
Eoin Ó Broin[b] Independent
Trevor Gilligan Fianna Fáil
William Joseph Carey Sinn Féin
Peter Kavanagh[b][a] Green
Kenny Egan Fine Gael
Firhouse–Bohernabreena Deirdre O'Donovan[a] Fianna Fáil
Francis Noel Duffy[a] Green
Brian Lawlor Fine Gael
Emma Murphy Fianna Fáil
Alan Edge Independent
Lucan Paul Gogarty Independent
Liona O'Toole Independent
Vicki Casserly Fine Gael
Joanna Tuffy Labour
Ed O'Brien Fianna Fáil
PalmerstownFonthill Mark Ward[a] Sinn Féin
Alan Hayes Independent
Guss O'Connell Independent
Madeleine Johansson[c] Solidarity–PBP
Shane Moynihan Fianna Fáil
RathfarnhamTempleogue William Priestley[a] Green
Ronan McMahon Independent
Pamela Kearns Labour
Yvonne Collins Fianna Fáil
Mary Seery Kearney[a] Fine Gael
Carly Bailey Social Democrats
David McManus Fine Gael
Tallaght Central Charlie O'Connor Fianna Fáil
Mick Duff Independent
Cathal King Sinn Féin
Liam Sinclair[b][d][a] Green
Teresa Costello Fianna Fáil
Kiernan Mahon[c] Solidarity–PBP
Tallaght South Sandra Fay[a][c] Solidarity–PBP
Paddy Holohan[b] Sinn Féin
Baby Pereppadan Fine Gael
Dermot Richardson Sinn Féin
Louise Dunne Sinn Féin

Co-options

Party Outgoing Electoral area Reason Date Co-optee
Sinn Féin Mark Ward Palmerstown–Fonthill Elected as a TD for Dublin Mid-West in the 2019 by-election. November 2019 Lisa Colman[a][26]
Green Francis Noel Duffy Firhouse–Bohernabreena Elected as a TD for Dublin South-West in the 2020 general election. February 2020 Clare O'Byrne[a]
Fine Gael Emer Higgins Clondalkin Elected as a TD for Dublin Mid-West in the 2020 general election. February 2020 Shirley O'Hara
Fine Gael Mary Seery Kearney Rathfarnham–Templeogue Nominated by the Taoiseach to Seanad Éireann September 2020 Lynn McCrave
Green William Priestley Rathfarnham–Templeogue Resignation; joined the Garda Síochána September 2020 Laura Donaghy[a]
Sinn Féin Lisa Colman Palmerstown–Fonthill Resignation December 2020 Derren Ó Brádaigh[27]
Green Clare O'Byrne Firhouse–Bohernabreena Resignation April 2021 Suzanne McEneaney[a][28]
PBP–Solidarity Sandra Fay Tallaght South Resignation June 2021 Leah Whelan[29]
Green Suzanne McEneaney Firhouse–Bohernabreena Resignation February 2022 Lyn Hagin Meade[30]
Green Peter Kavanagh[b] Clondalkin Resignation October 2022 Laura Donaghy
Green Laura Donaghy Rathfarnham-Templeogue Resignation January 2023 Mark Lynch
Fianna Fáil Deirdre O'Donovan Firhouse-Bohernabreena Resignation June 2023 Lilian Guéret
An Rabharta Glas Liam Sinclair Tallaght Central Resignation November 2023 Vanessa Mulhall (Green)

Changes in affiliation

Name Electoral area Elected as New affiliation Date
Liam Sinclair Tallaght Central Green Independent January 2021
Peter Kavanagh Clondalkin Green Independent January 2021
Paddy Holohan Tallaght South Sinn Féin Independent January 2021
Liam Sinclair Tallaght Central Independent An Rabharta Glas June 2021
Eoin Ó Broin Clondalkin Independent Social Democrats January 2022
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Replaced during term, see table for details.
  2. ^ a b c d e Changed party, see table for details.
  3. ^ a b c Solidarity–People Before Profit was renamed as People Before Profit–Solidarity in June 2021.
  4. ^ Liam Sinclair was a member of the unregistered An Rabharta Glas party and sat as an independent on the council.

Controversies

2019 Wetlands Destruction

In 2019, South Dublin County Council sanctioned the mass dumping of silt in a wetlands park which it had previously vowed to protect.[31][32] A large part of the park's ecosystem was destroyed, buried under several feet of silt which was then leveled with heavy machinery.[33] The destruction enraged environmental groups, who estimated that thousands of animals were buried and killed, including several protected and endangered species.[31][33] In response, the council confirmed that they would review their silt disposal process,[31] while admitting no wrongdoing.[32]

References

  1. ^ "Local Government Reform Act 2014 §12: Local government areas". Irish Statute Book. 27 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Opening Hours & Useful Addresses". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Corporate Plan 2010–2014". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  4. ^ "Census 2006 – Population of each province, county and city". Central Statistics Office. Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Register of Electors". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  6. ^ Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985, s. 13: Establishment, membership and election of councils of established electoral counties (No. 7 of 1985, s. 13). Enacted on 3 April 1985. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  7. ^ Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985, s. 16: Continuation of Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire Corporation (No. 7 of 1985, s. 16). Enacted on 3 April 1985. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  8. ^ Local Government Act 1991, s. 26: Amendment of Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985 (No. 11 of 1991, s. 26). Enacted on 18 May 1991. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 9 December 2021.
  9. ^ Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 Commencement Order 1993 (S.I. No. 400 of 1993). Signed on 22 December 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 9 December 2021.
  10. ^ Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 Commencement Order 1993 (S.I. No. 400 of 1993). Signed on 22 December 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 12 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Two councillors served on first South Dublin County Council 25 years ago". The Echo. 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  12. ^ "From Monastic Centre to Modern City" (PDF). South Dublin County Council. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  13. ^ Local Government Act 2001, 7th Sch.: Number of members of local authorities (No. 37 of 2001, 7th Sch.). Enacted on 21 July 2001. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  14. ^ Local Government Reform Act 2014, s. 15: Number of members of local authorities (No. 1 of 2014, s. 15). Enacted on 27 January 2014. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  15. ^ Local Government Act 1994 (No. 8 of 1994). Enacted on 29 April 1994. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 15 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Corporate Plan 2010–2014, page 32". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  17. ^ "Council website – Corporate Policy Group". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  18. ^ Local Government Act 2001, s. 31: Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach (No. 37 of 2001, s. 31), "Per Schedule 8 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the elected Members of the Council, in exercising their reserved functions, resolved at a Council Meeting held on 11 March 2002 to give to the office of the Cathaoirleach and Leas Chathaoirleach the titles of Méara (Mayor) and Leas Mhéara, (Deputy Mayor).". Enacted on 21 July 2001. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 February 2011.
  19. ^ Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, Article 5 and Schedule 3 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 30 April 2023.
  20. ^ County of South Dublin Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 633 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 11 September 2020.
  21. ^ Dublin County (District Electoral Divisions) Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 13 of 1986). Signed on 20 January 1986 by Liam Kavanagh, Minister for the Environment. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  22. ^ Dublin County (District Electoral Divisions) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 106 of 1994). Signed on 29 April 1994 by Michael Smith, Minister for the Environment. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  23. ^ "Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places" (PDF). South Dublin County Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Local Elections 2019". Local Government. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Local Elections 2019: Results, Transfer of Votes and Statistics" (PDF). Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. pp. 187–198. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  26. ^ "New Clondalkin Councillor appointed". News Group. 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Derren Ó Bradaigh co-opted into Sinn Fein SDCC seat". Dublin People. 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Green Party welcomes new South Dublin City Councillor". Green Party/Comhaontas Glas. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Leah (23) will be youngest sitting member of the council". Echo.ie. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  30. ^ "New Councillor Co-opted by Council". sdcc.ie. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  31. ^ a b c "Council to review silt disposal as wetlands destroyed". RTÉ. 23 September 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  32. ^ a b Murray, Sean (23 September 2019). "Council confirms it deposited silt on 'destroyed' Tallaght wetlands". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  33. ^ a b Gleeson, Colin; Hutton, Brian. "South Dublin council to review destruction of wetland eco-system". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.

External links