Importance of local government

Local authorities are responsible for the provision of an extensive range of public services in
your area. In addition, local authorities promote the interests of your local community,
including the social, economic, environmental, recreational, cultural, community or general
development of your area.
Responsibilities of local authorities
These are typically broken down into the following broad categories:

Housing

Planning

Roads

Water supply and sewerage

Development incentives and controls

Environmental protection including rivers, lakes, air and noise

Recreation facilities and amenities

In addition to the functions outlined above, a fundamental role of democratically elected local
government is the representation of local communities, voicing local concerns and responding
to local needs.
Local authorities and housing
Local authorities provide and maintain housing in their area. They assess the housing needs
for the area and build, buy and lease dwellings. They also provide loans for the repair and
improvement of dwellings within the area.
Local authorities and recreation facilities and amenities
Local authorities provide amenities, facilities and services related to artistic and cultural
activities, sports and games, general recreational and leisure activities, libraries, civic
improvements such as monuments, environmental and heritage protection and the public use
of amenities.
Local authorities and planning
Your local authority is the planning authority. It decides whether to grant or refuse planning
permission for building and development in your area. It also creates a Development
Plan every 6 years, which sets out its planning policies.
Local authorities and essential services
Local authorities provide essential services such as roads and bridges, fire services, water and
sewerage services and drainage. Since January 2014, Irish Water is taking over the
responsibilities of the local authorities for water and wastewater services on a phased basis.

Local authorities also control dangerous places and buildings, abattoirs and knackeries and
provide and maintain graveyards and burial grounds.
Local authorities and environmental protection
The local authority has an important function in relation to pollution control and animal
control. It issues licenses for waste disposal and for emissions into the air from plants. It
collects or arranges for the collection of domestic and other waste and it monitors the
environment for signs of pollution. It also issues licenses for keeping dogs and licenses for
horses within its area.
The local authority grants licenses to street traders to allow them to sell goods on the street
and to casual traders to allow them to sell goods at casual trading areas designated by the
city, county, town or borough council.
Lawmaking & enforcement
Local governments legislate and make decisions in areas over which they have
legislative authority. Local laws are not allowed to replicate or be inconsistent with state and
federal laws or the operative planning scheme.
The laws made by local governments are called local laws and cover issues such as the
activities permitted on public land, animal management, and use of infrastructure.
Local governments are also responsible for enforcing local laws and other legislation over
which they have authority.
Policy development
The activities of local governments are guided by policies. Developing and implementing
these policies are key functions.
Advocacy
Local governments have a role in advocating on behalf of their constituencies to state
and federal levels of government, statutory authorities and other sectors.