County Manager

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Every County council and City council in Ireland has a Chief Executive (called a City or County Manager) who is employed to manage their local authority. Some counties in Ireland share a County Manager.

The County or City Manager performs the executive functions of the County or City Council. He or she supervises, co-ordinates, manages and pays the employees and officers of the Council. He or she also makes contracts on behalf of the Council and affixes the official seal of the Council on documents. The law in Ireland (Section 144 of the Local Government Act 2001) clearly states that 'For every county and city there shall be a manager to be known as "the ....... County Manager" or "the ....... City Manager".'

1 Deputy Managers
2 Rules
3 Delegation of Manager's Functions
4 See also

[edit] Deputy Managers

As well as the County or City Manager, some counties and cities also have Assistant/Deputy County or City Managers. After consultation with the Cathaoirleach of the local authority, the County or City Manager may appoint a Deputy Manager to act on their behalf while they are on leave or absent. In situations where the post of Manager becomes vacant, Section 148 of the Local Government Act 2001 requires the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to appoint someone to the Manager's post temporarily. This temporary appointment will continue until a permanent appointment is made. It may however, be terminated at any time.

[edit] Rules

County or City Managers in Ireland are recruited through a competitive recruitment process organised by the Public Appointments Service. Once appointed, the County or City Manager will remain in office for a term of 7 years (although this can also be extended by an additional three years). The retirement age for County or City Managers is 65.

If a Council wishes to suspend or remove a County or City Manager, a resolution must be passed by the Council. At least two-thirds of the Councillors must vote for the resolution after 7 days notice. The Minister then sanctions the removal of the County or City Manager.

[edit] Delegation of Manager's Functions

It is normal practice in Ireland that the County or City Manager of a local authority will delegate some functions to other staff in the local authority. The elected county or city council must be notified of any delegated functions. However, the County or City Manager still remains responsible for the acts of the delegate and can take back (i.e., revoke) a responsibility that has been delegated. As the chief executive, the County or City Manager has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the local authority operates smoothly and for carrying into effect policy decisions of the elected council.