Publication
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) for the review of local authority Strategic Policy Committees
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The Department is taking the opportunity to undertake an independent review of the operation of Strategic Policy Committees. A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been established to guide, advise and oversee the review. Secretariat support is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The IPA will carry out the review and submit a report to the SWG for its commentary. The report and the SWG’s commentary will then be submitted to the Minister.
The review will include a process of research and consultation, an evaluation of existing arrangements, and any recommendations for adjustments to current arrangements deemed necessary.
| Name of member | Organisation | Previously a Designated Public Official? (For non public service members) |
| Diarmuid O’Leary (Chair) | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Cllr Nick Killian | Association of Irish Local Government | - |
| Cllr Anne Colgan | Association of Irish Local Government | - |
| Cllr Micheál Anglim | Local Authority Members Association | - |
| Cllr John Sheahan | Local Authority Members Association | - |
| Amanda Byrne (from 10 November 2022) | County and City Management Association | - |
| Louise Purcell | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Eoin Colleary | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Grant Couper (secretary to the Group) | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Brian Loughlin | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Anthony O’Mahony | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | - |
| Kieran Moylan | Department of Rural and Community Development | - |
| Lucy Pyne (from 21 March 2023) | Department of Environment, Climate and Communications | - |
| Niall Cussen | Office of the Planning Regulator | - |
| Susan O’Toole (from 28 March 2023) | Local Government Management Agency | - |
| Liam Berney | Irish Congress of Trade Unions | No |
| Mr Charles Stanley-Smith (from 30 November 2023) | Public Participation Network National Advisory Group | No |
| Aebhric McGibney | Chambers Ireland (Dublin Chamber) | No |
| Alice Doyle (from 2 February 2024) | Irish Farmers’ Association | |
| Tony McCarthy | Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network – Community and Voluntary Pillar, Secretariat | No |
| Derry O’Farrell | Cork City Public Participation Network – Environmental Pillar, Secretariat | No |
| Deirdre Arnold | Offaly Public Participation Network – Social Inclusion, Representative | No |
| Eoghan Ryan (from 29 January 2024) | Kildare County Council | - |
| Eamon Lonergan (from February 2024) | Tipperary County Council | - |
Terms of Reference - Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) for the review of local authority Strategic Policy Committees
Download link for
Download
View the file
View
It is expected that the IPA consultant will submit the finalised report to the Stakeholder Working Group during summer 2023. The SWG will then consider the report and submit it, with the Group’s commentary, to the Minister.
The Stakeholder Working Group overseeing the review of local authority Strategic Policy Committees a "relevant body" as defined under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. It complies with the provisions under the associated Transparency Code and is therefore exempted from the requirement to register and report on lobbying activities.
The Stakeholder Working Group is expected to report to the Minster with its commentary on the IPA’s final report before the end of 2023.