WHAT NOW FOR MAYORAL GOVERNANCE IN IRELAND?

With the citizens of Cork and Waterford having rejected the proposal for directly-elected mayors, this raises some challenging questions for the future of local government reform in Ireland, writes Dr Deiric Ó Broin, Senior Research Fellow at DCU School of Law and Government.

MEATH MAPS OUT NEW €454M INVESTMENT PLANS

With a projected spend of €454 million mapped out over the next three years, Meath County Council has agreed its most ambitious Capital Programme ever with most significant investment to be in the area of housing, which makes up 50% of the total programme.

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE POLITICAL INNOVATION

Now in its third year, the Innovation in Politics Awards 2019 will be presented in Berlin on 4 December to projects which have made an impact at local, regional and national levels across Europe. With nine projects from Ireland reaching the final in 2018, 'Council Review' wishes this year's entrants the best of luck!

PUBLIC SECTOR EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS DUTY

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission recently published guidance setting out the key steps to be taken by local authorities and other public bodies to meet their obligations under the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.

NEW EU SAFETY STANDARDS TO HIT THE ROAD

Starting in 2022, a range of new standard safety features will be rolled out for new vehicles sold in Europe, according to a provisional EU deal on the legislation. Laurence Atchison, Project Manager with the European Transport Safety Council, outlines the range of road safety proposals designed to clamp down on the rising number of road collisions and deaths.

PUTTING STRATEGIC CLIMATE ACTION PLANS IN PLACE

Ireland’s four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) have been co-ordinating the local authority response to climate change since 2018. The structures deployed have proved highly effective and may be utilised to direct local authority actions within the Climate Action Plan.

CLIMATE FINANCE WEEK 2019 BANKS ON AIB SUPPORT!

AIB will be the principal sponsor of Climate Finance Week Ireland 2019, a series of sustainability and climate-themed talks, interactive workshops and events that will take place on 4-8 November to focus on sustainable finance and responsible investment as well as Ireland’s drive to a carbon-neutral economy.

WDC CONNECTS DIGITAL HUBS FROM DONEGAL TO KERRY

With technology now set to transform rural Ireland into a smart, connected region over the next ten years, with new jobs and a growing population, the Western Development Commission is seeking to develop a global niche with a multi-million euro investment as part its new five-year ‘Work Smarter, Live Better’ Strategy (2019-2024).   

MAYO MAKES A ‘BEELINE’ TO SAVE THE GREAT YELLOW!

Having signed up to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan under a framework agreement, Mayo County Council is now involved in a research project to save the Great Yellow Bumblebee, as the local authority formalises its long-term commitment to conserve pollinators in the county.

NEW TOURISM CAMPAIGN TO MARKET COUNTY SLIGO

Sligo Tourism, the agency tasked with promoting the northwest county to national and international markets, is embarking on an ambitious year-long digital marketing campaign, with social media and creativity powering the entire initiative.

WEEE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE IN IRELAND ON RECYCLING!

Irish consumers and businesses collected over 36,100 tonnes of e-waste and 856 tonnes of waste batteries for recycling last year. The findings are contained in the annual report of WEEE Ireland, which revealed that the largest electrical and battery recycling compliance scheme in the country surpassed national targets yet again in 2018.