539. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, regarding the appointment of a chief executive of a council, is subject to a ministerial commencement order; if the section is operational for all such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29716/14]

The provisions relating to the appointment of a chief executive provided for in section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 were commenced with effect from 1 June 2014. The new arrangements are now effective in any instance where the process for the recruitment and appointment of a chief executive commenced on or after 1 June 2014. Recruitment/appointment processes commenced prior to that date continue to be governed by the previous legislation provisions.