Chapter 2

Ceremonial Functions

74. —(1) (a) A local authority may confer a civic honour on a distinguished person in such manner as it may determine, including the admission of the person to the honorary freedom of its administrative area, and may establish and maintain a roll or other record in which to enter the names of persons so honoured.

(b) The Cathaoirleach may, without prejudice to paragraph (a), propose a person for a civic honour under this section.

(2) Any roll or other record of civic honour established and maintained by a local authority before the commencement of this section shall continue as if established and maintained under this section.

(3) A decision of a local authority to confer a civic honour on a person is a reserved function.

(4) The repeal by this Act of section 48(3) of the Local Government Act, 1991 , shall not have effect as respects any person to whom that section applies.

75. —(1) A local authority may enter into arrangements for the twinning of its administrative area or a part of it or establish other similar links with any other area, whether within or outside the State.

(2) The decision to enter into an arrangement under subsection (1) is a reserved function.

(3) A local authority shall not enter into an arrangement under subsection (1) unless, having had regard to the following matters, it is satisfied that the arrangement is justified:

(a) the benefits likely to accrue to its administrative area and the local community,

(b) the social, cultural and general interests of its administrative area and the local community, and

(c) the total cost involved.

(4) The Minister may issue directions to local authorities or specified classes of local authorities for the purposes of this section.

(5) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.

76. —(1) A local authority may incur reasonable expenditure for or in connection with the provision of receptions and entertainment for, and the making of presentations—

(a) to distinguished persons, and

(b) in connection with the holding of special events relevant to its functions.

(2) A decision to incur expenditure under subsection (1) is a reserved function.

(3) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.