In Ireland, governance is split between both central and local government. Central government are responsible for coordinating state level functions including, but not limited to, tax collection, social welfare, education, health etc. Local government functions are exercised by 31 local authorities, termed County, City or City and County Councils. The principal decision-making body in each local authority is composed of the members of the council, elected every five years. Many of the authorities’ statutory functions are, however, the responsibility of ministerially appointed officials termed Chief Executives. The competencies of the city and county councils include planning, transport infrastructure, sanitary services, public safety (notably fire services) and the provision of public libraries.

Within Dublin there are four local authorities, namely Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.