Functions of the Authority

The function of the Regional Authority is to promote the co-ordination of the provision of public services at regional level and to review the development needs and the provision of public services in the region. The following re-states the functions and powers provided for in the Establishment Order (Articles 14 & 15).

Article 14:

It shall be the general function of a Regional Authority to promote co-ordination of the provision of public services in the authority\'s region.
Without prejudice to the generality of sub-article (1), the functions of a Regional Authority shall include the following:
1. in matters relating to the provision of public services in the region:
  1. to promote co-ordination and, where appropriate, co-operation, joint action, joint arrangements, agreements, communication or consultation between local authorities or other public authorities in the region or between such authorities and other persons,
  2. to promote co-ordination, consistency and compatibility with the programmes, plans, policies, proposals or objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government,
2. to promote consideration by public authorities of the implications for, or the effects of their decisions, activities or services on, the region as a whole;
3. to review from time to time, as it considers appropriate, the overall needs and development requirements of the region and to make such statements as it considers necessary in relation thereto;
4. to review from time to time, as it considers appropriate, the development plans of local authorities in the region and, insofar as they may be relevant, the development plans of local authorities in adjoining regions, with particular regard to the consistency of such plans with one another and with the overall needs and development requirements of the region, and to make such statements as it considers necessary thereon;
5. to keep under review the provision of public services in or relating to or affecting the region and the need for, adequacy of, and possibilities of improving co-ordination of the provision of such services or any one or more of such services;
6. to make such statement on any matters relating to or arising from the performance of its functions as the Minister or a constituent local authority may from time to time request;
7. within two years of its establishment and thereafter at least once in every five years or at such other intervals as the Minister may direct, to prepare, in consultation with such public authorities or other persons as the Regional Authority considers appropriate and having regard to any guidelines or directions given by the Minister, a regional report covering matters referred to at paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) and such other related matters as the authority considers appropriate; and
8. to select, when requested to do so by the Minister, a person (being a member of a local authority in the region) to be proposed as a member of the Committee of the Regions or a person to be proposed as an alternate member of such Committee, using in relation to each selection the method set out in the Fourth Schedule for the election of the Cathaoirleach of a Regional Authority.
Having regard to sub-articles (1) and (2) a Regional Authority shall, as early as possible in each year, adopt a programme of work for that year.
Where a statement or report is prepared by a Regional Authority, the authority shall:
1. furnish a copy of the statement or report to each constituent local authority, to each body represented on the Operational Committee and to such other local authorities or other public authorities or other persons as the Regional Authority considers appropriate;
2. make copies of the statement or report conveniently available for inspection by members of the public, or for purchase by any person at such price as may be determined by the Regional Authority and give public notice of the date on and from which the report will be so made available.

Article 15: Functions in connection with EC Assistance

It shall be a function of a Regional Authority to provide, at the request of the Minister for Finance and in accordance with such terms, conditions, requirements or procedures as that Minister may specify, such proposals, recommendations, advice, or information as may be required by such Minister or any other Minister of the Government in connection with the preparation of any plan, programme or other measure for the purpose of making or supporting an application to the European Communities for financial assistance.
A Regional Authority shall, at the request of the Minister for Finance and in accordance with such terms, conditions, requirements or procedures as that Minister may specify, review the implementation in its region of measures in respect of which financial assistance is made available by the European Communities.
The Minister for Finance shall recoup to each Regional Authority the amount of any approved costs incurred by the authority in the discharge of functions under this article, which costs shall be shown separately in each estimate and statement of accounts prepared by each such authority.

The Regional Authorities were given an additional role under the Planning & Development Act, 2000 (Chapter III, PII), in relation to the formulation of Regional Planning Guidelines. Article 23 (sub-articles 1 & 2) of the act outlines the content and objectives of regional planning guidelines.

Article 23

1. The objective of regional planning guidelines shall be to provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the development of the region for which the guidelines are prepared.
2. The planning framework referred to in paragraph (a) shall consider the future development of the region for which the guidelines are prepared for a period of not less than 12 years and not more than 20 years.
The guidelines shall address, for the whole of the region to which the guidelines relate, in accordance with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development, the following matters:
1. projected population trends and settlement and housing strategies;
2. economic and employment trends;
3. the location of industrial and commercial development;
4. transportation, including public transportation;
5. water supply and waste water facilities;
6. waste disposal;
7. energy and communications networks;
8. the provision of educational, health care, retail and other community facilities;
9. the preservation and protection of the environment and its amenities, including the archaeological, architectural and natural heritage; and
10. such other matters as may be prescribed.