Local authorities support the Cathaoirleach (chair person) and mayor by managing invitations to functions, hosting delegations and civic receptions, and supporting the official business of the office.
Local authorities support councillors in their role as elected representatives and policy makers by providing information about day to day local authority services, responding to questions and notices of motion, and supporting their work on council committees.
Local authorities manage local elections where successful candidates are elected to the council to represent their community as councillors for five years.
Local authorities prepare plans to identify electoral areas, electoral divisions, polling districts and townlands for Dáil (national parliament) and local elections, and the appointed polling place for each polling district. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.
Local authorities, together with other stakeholders, advertise job vacancies, shortlist candidates, carry out assessments and hold interviews to appoint successful candidates.
Local authorities publish a public register of all eligible and registered people entitled to vote in local, national and European elections and referenda.
Local authorities publish guides in Irish, English and some European languages to explain how the Irish voting system works and how the public can to exercise their right to vote.
Local authorities, together with Irish Water Safety, may run lifesaver training courses, beach lifeguard academies, and safe swimming and boating campaigns to promote water safety on public beaches, lakes and waterways.