Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Northern and Western Regional Assembly
Radom1967 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Northern and Western Regional Assembly
Formation	2015
Type	Regional Assembly
Headquarters	Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon
Region served	Connacht, County Donegal, County Sligo, County Leitrim, County Mayo, County Roscommon, County Galway, County Clare
Membership	Local authorities of the Northern and Western Region
Leader title	Cathaoirleach

Northern and Western Regional Assembly is a regional body covering parts of Connacht and the Mid-West that coordinates regional planning, economic development, and EU funding for counties including Galway (city), Galway (county), Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare, and Donegal. It interfaces with national institutions such as Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Ireland), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and international entities like the European Commission, European Regional Development Fund, and European Social Fund. The assembly works alongside local authorities including Galway County Council, Mayo County Council, Sligo County Council, Leitrim County Council, Roscommon County Council, Clare County Council, Donegal County Council, and Galway City Council and coordinates with agencies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

History

The assembly was established following regional governance reforms that restructured the Regional Assemblies of Ireland and implemented recommendations from the Report of the Commission on the Future of Local Government and the Local Government Reform Act 2014. Its formation aligned with EU cohesion policy cycles overseen by the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and succeeded earlier bodies like the Border Midlands and Western Regional Assembly and elements of the Western Development Commission. Key milestones include engagement with programmes such as Ireland 2040 (Project Ireland 2040), strategic alignment with the National Planning Framework, and participation in transnational cooperation under programmes like INTERREG and the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme.

Structure and Membership

Membership comprises elected representatives nominated by constituent local authorities, ex officio officials from national agencies, and appointed representatives from bodies including Higher Education Authority (Ireland), Atlantic Technological University, University of Galway, Technological University of the Shannon, Regional Skills Fora, and regional chambers like the Galway Chamber. Political representation comes from parties such as Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Green Party, Labour Party, and independents. The assembly elects a Cathaoirleach and deputy, operates through thematic committees mirroring EU themes such as innovation, connectivity, and rural development, and maintains scrutiny via audit committees linked with the Comptroller and Auditor General (Ireland). Governance is informed by statutory instruments like the Local Government Act 2001 and reporting to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Ireland).

Functions and Powers

Statutory functions include preparing a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy in line with the National Planning Framework, managing allocation of EU structural funds under frameworks such as the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund Plus, and coordinating regional submissions to national strategies like Project Ireland 2040. The assembly liaises with infrastructure bodies including National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and energy agencies such as EirGrid and Gas Networks Ireland on regional priority projects. It has powers to designate strategic planning areas, advise on environmental assessments under the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), and participate in cross-border initiatives involving Northern Ireland Executive structures and the North/South Ministerial Council where appropriate.

Regional Planning and Strategic Development

The assembly produces the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy guiding land use, transport corridors, and investment in sectors emphasised by agencies like Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland such as advanced manufacturing, marine economy, and agri-food linked to institutes like Teagasc and research centres including Marine Institute (Ireland). It coordinates strategic projects such as regional road and rail prioritisation with Irish Rail, development of coastal and marine planning with the Marine Institute (Ireland), and supports innovation ecosystems involving Science Foundation Ireland grants and regional enterprise hubs. Spatial planning integrates heritage considerations with input from National Monuments Service, tourism planning with Fáilte Ireland, and urban regeneration initiatives aligned with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Ireland) programmes.

Funding and Budget

Funding streams include allocations from national budgets administered via the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and EU structural funds such as the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund Plus. The assembly manages grant programmes, co-finances projects with bodies like Local Enterprise Offices and LEADER partnerships administered through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and monitors compliance with EU State aid rules enforced by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland). Financial oversight is subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (Ireland) and grant compliance reviews by the European Court of Auditors and national audit authorities.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

The assembly engages stakeholders including local authorities, regional universities such as University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University, enterprise agencies like IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, sectoral bodies like Irish Farmers' Association, and civil society organisations including Age Action (Ireland) and Local Community Development Committees. It participates in EU networks such as the Committee of the Regions and Assembly of European Regions, collaborates on transnational projects under INTERREG Europe, and convenes forums linking transport providers like Bus Éireann and Local Link with tourism bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and heritage agencies. Engagement channels include public consultations, strategic cooperation with the Western Development Commission, and joint initiatives with the North West Regional Water Supply and emergency planning partners like Health Service Executive.

Category:Regional assemblies in Ireland