South Dublin County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas[1]) is the local authority of 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.
South Dublin County Council Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Baby Pereppaddan, FG | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Meeting place | |
.jpg) | |
| County Hall, Tallaght | |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
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
editThe 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
editThe Local Government Act 2001 reformed the two-tier structure of local government in Ireland, 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
editManagement
editThe 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
editThe Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen from among the councillors.[18]
Regional Assembly
editSouth Dublin County Council has three representatives on the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly who are part of the Dublin Strategic Planning Area Committee.[19]
Elections
editMembers of South Dublin County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).
| Year | FG | FF | SF | PBP | Lab | SD | II | IF | GP | Sol | WP | PDs | Ind | Total | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 40 | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 9 | 40 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 8 | 40 | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 2004 | 3 | 6 | 3 | — | 7 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 1999 | 3 | 8 | 2 | — | 7 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 1991 | 6 | 7 | 0 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 1985 | 8 | 13 | 0 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 0 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 26 | |||||||||||||
Local electoral areas
editSouth Dublin is divided into LEAs.[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 |
| Palmerstown–Fonthill | 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 |
| Rathfarnham–Templeogue | 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
edit2024 seats summary
editThe following were elected at the 2024 South Dublin County Council election.
| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael | 9 | |
| Fianna Fáil | 5 | |
| Sinn Féin | 5 | |
| PBP–Solidarity | 4 | |
| Labour | 3 | |
| Social Democrats | 2 | |
| Independent Ireland | 1 | |
| Irish Freedom | 1 | |
| Independent | 10 | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[24][25]
- Notes
Co-options
edit| Party | Outgoing | LEA | Reason | Date | Co-optee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Paddy Holohan | Tallaght Central | Elected for two areas; Tallaght Central and Tallaght South, resigned from Tallaght Central.[26] | September 2024 | Dean Donnelly | |
Changes in affiliation
edit| Name | LEA | Elected as | New affiliation | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Timmons | Clondalkin | Independent | Labour | 25 October 2024[27] | ||
Controversies
edit2019 wetlands destruction
editIn 2019, South Dublin County Council sanctioned the mass dumping of silt in a wetlands park which it had previously vowed to protect.[28][29] A large part of the park's ecosystem was destroyed, buried under several feet of silt which was then leveled with heavy machinery.[30] The destruction enraged environmental groups, who estimated that thousands of animals were buried and killed, including several protected and endangered species.[28][30] In response, the council confirmed that they would review their silt disposal process,[28] while admitting no wrongdoing.[29]
References
edit- ^ Local Government Reform Act 2014, s. 12: Local government areas (No. 1 of 2014, s. 12). Enacted on 27 January 2014. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 November 2015.
- ^ "Opening Hours & Useful Addresses". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Corporate Plan 2010–2014". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Census 2006 – Population of each province, county and city". Central Statistics Office. Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Register of Electors". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Corporate Plan 2010–2014, page 32". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Council website – Corporate Policy Group". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Local Elections 2024". South Dublin County Council. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "South Dublin County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Dublin gets new councillors just three months after elections". The Irish Times. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Bacik, Ivana. "Cllr. Francis Timmons To Seek Labour Party General Election Nomination In Dublin Mid-West". Labour.ie. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.