Local Government Act, 2001

PART 5

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach

Chapter 1

General

Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

31.—(1) Subject to this Part each local authority shall have a chairperson and vice-chairperson who shall be elected and hold office in accordance with this Part and who in this Act are referred to as “Cathaoirleach” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach”, respectively, and shall be so known except where the provisions of section 32 apply.

(2) The holders of the offices of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach shall as appropriate be styled—

(a) in the case of a county council, in the Irish language “Cathaoirleach Chontae .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach Chontae .......” followed by the name of the county in Irish, and in the English language “Cathaoirleach of the County of .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach of the County of .......” followed by the name of the county in English,

(b) in the case of a city council, in the Irish language “Cathaoirleach Chathair .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach Chathair .......” followed by the name of the city in Irish, and in the English language “Cathaoirleach of the City of .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach of the City of .......” followed by the name of the city in English,

(c) in the case of a town council, in the Irish language “Cathaoirleach Bhaile .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach Bhaile .......” followed by the name of the town in Irish, and in the English language “Cathaoirleach of the Town of .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Town of .......” followed by the name of the town in English.

(d) in the case of a borough council, in the Irish language “Cathaoirleach Bhuirg .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach Bhuirg .......” followed by the name of the borough in Irish, and in the English language “Cathaoirleach of the Borough of .......” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Borough of .......” followed by the name of the borough in English.

(3) Any reference in any other enactment to the lord mayor, mayor, chairman, deputy lord mayor, deputy mayor or vice-chairman or cognate words shall, where the context so requires, be read as a reference to the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or other title standing for the time being by virtue of section 32 , as the case may be.

(4) The Cathaoirleach shall take precedence at all meetings of the local authority and all proceedings of the elected council.

(5) Anything authorised or required by this Act or otherwise by law to be done by, to or with the Cathaoirleach may where necessary be done by, to or with the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the local authority.

(6) The Cathaoirleach may, where the Leas-Chathaoirleach is unavailable, nominate from among the other members of the local authority a member for the purpose of representing the Cathaoirleach at any ceremony or event in that capacity and that member shall be entitled to act in that capacity for such purpose.

(7) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Cathaoirleach of a local authority, the Leas-Chathaoirleach shall assume the responsibilities of the office pending the election in accordance with this Part of a Cathaoirleach.

(8) A person holding the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach on the commencement of this provision shall continue to hold that office in accordance with this Part.

(9) Subject to this Act, an outgoing Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall be eligible for re-election.

(10) This Chapter, subject to subsection (11), shall apply to a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach elected in accordance with Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 of this Part.

(11) Section 34 shall apply to a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach elected in 2004 in accordance with Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 of this Part and thereafter.