Local Government in Ireland is at the heart of our democracy, and Senator Victor Boyhan believes local councillors need to be supported and empowered in their work.

He retains a unique voice in Seanad Éireann on behalf of local councillors and local democracy.

Senator Boyhan was the first Independent Councillor ever to be elected to Seanad Éireann. 

Senators (Seanadóirí)

Like TDs, Senators have a very busy and varied week. The Seanad sitting commences with the announcement of the Order of Business and Senators normally get the opportunity to broaden the debate to raise important and topical issues of the day and request time to debate them.

A typical day involves: 

• starts with Commencement Matters
• followered by the Order of Business which gives Senators the opportunity to raise important issues and call for a debate
• debating and voting on legislation,
• statements on matters of national importance, 
• serving on and attending Oireachtas Committee meetings,
• making parliamentary contributions to legislation

In addition to their parliamentary duties, Senators liaise with civil society, contributes to debates in the national and local media and work on behalf of their electorate.

Senator Boyhan has been a member of the AILG - the Association of Irish Local Government and works closely with both the AILG.
For more details of AILG’s work and resources, go to www.ailg.ie
The Association’s list of links to local councils’ websites is also useful here http://www.ailg.ie/links/

POWERS OF LOCAL COUNCILS

Senator Boyhan has expressed strong concerns at the erosion of the role of local elected representatives, and local people, in the planning process, particularly in raising objections and being informed of developments in their areas. Through his work on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Planning he holds the Minister and the Department to account. 

If you are a local Councillor and wish to contact Senator Boyhan, please do get in touch via his Seanad office 01 618 3333 or email

IMPORTANT LINKS

Seanad Eireann Debates :https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/find/?debateType=seanad

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government website : www.housing.org.ie

Housing for All: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/dfc50-housing-for-all/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/housingforall/

Housing Assistance Payement (HAP) Scheme : www.hap.ie

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

https://www.teagasc.ie

https://www.agriland.ie

www.oireachtas.ie

https://www.lgma.ie/en/irish-local-government/

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Info: www.gov.ie is an important information source for news and information.