Local and Regional Governments in Europe

Ireland
Ireland is a unitary state composed of two levels of local
government: the first tier is composed of municipal districts,
cities, and counties* and the second tier is composed of regions .*
State structure
unitary
Number of
Sub-national governments
2012 2016
LOCAL 80 126
INTERMEDIATE 34
REGIONAL 3
Capital city
Dublin
Population
4,604,029 (0.9% EU)
Geographical size
69,797 km²
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Vote
non-compulsory
EU Member State since
1973
11
Seats in the
9
Seats in the
European Parliament
European Committee
of the Regions
Local level 31* cities and counties and 95 municipal districts
(administrative local level)
City and county councils 26 county councils, 3 city councils, 2 city and county councils
Local authorities (county* and
city councils) operate under the
supervision of the Minister for the
Environment, Community and Local
Government.
The city council or county council is
elected by direct universal suffrage
every five years, via proportional
representation. The number of
councillors varies and is set by
national legislation. There are 949
elected members in the Irish local
government system (2016). Local
elections take place every five years
(the last one was in May 2014). The
city or county council is assisted by
local policy committees, made up of
both local elected council members
and representatives from local interest
groups.
The council exercises what are
known as reserved functions,
which include the adoption of local
main policies. These include major
policy documents, council plans
and strategies, as well as local laws
and the annual budget. The city or
county council also oversees the
administration of these policies.
Competences
• Economic Development
• Planning city development
• Road infrastructure
• Environmental Services
• Housing
• Fire services and civil defence
• Community development
• Libraries
• Local arts, culture and leisure
facilities
• Coordination of public services
across different agencies
operating locally
* See p.89
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