Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

5.7 Other Local Bodies
5.7.1 A small number of other local government bodies exist at local level,
including regional authorities, regional assemblies, joint drainage
committees, joint burial boards, and the Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees.
Regional structures are matters for consideration in the context of the White
Paper on local government. In 2002, a number of joint drainage committees
were dissolved with their functions transferred to their respective county
councils, while six joint drainage committees were left intact. In all, it is
estimated that the remaining joint drainage committees, the joint burial
boards, and the Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees will account for
expenditure of just under €2 million in 2010.
5.7.2 The six drainage district joint committees are subject to the Arterial
Drainage Act 1945, and most originate in legislation dating back to the 19 th
century. Most committees are small organisations with limited remits.
However, as distinct bodies joint drainage committees are required to hold
separate meetings, keep accounts, be individually audited, and as such
absorb a disproportionate amount of councillor time and administrative
work.
5.7.3 There are also six joint burial boards/ joint cemetery committees. Joint
burial boards were established under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 in
order to provide a burial ground in certain localities, while a joint cemetery
committee was established under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
for the same reason. The structure and membership of the burial boards
are not uniform, although in general approximately 10-15 councillors sit on
each board. In some instances, other community interests are represented,
such as religious denominations, undertaking firms and other noncouncillors
nominated by county councils. While the number of meetings
held of the boards is usually quite low, as with the joint drainage
committees, the joint burial boards as distinct bodies carry with them a set
of administrative overheads.
5.7.4 The Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees are responsible for the maintenance
of navigation aids, and a limited number of piers, on the Corrib System, as
well as the Eglington Canal system, associated walkways, tow paths, lock
gates, and boundary walls. It consists of members of Galway City and
County Councils and Mayo County Council.
5.7.5 Sections 230 and 231 of the Local Government Act 2001 empower the
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to dissolve
joint burial boards and joint drainage committees respectively, and to
transfer the functions of the committees to the local authority concerned.
Each local authority would then be responsible for the functions of bodies
within its area. In these circumstances, the requirement to hold separate
meetings, produce separate annual accounts and audit them would no
longer apply.
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