ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a guide to citizen participation in local government and governance in Ireland as an aid to fostering debate on best practice in local development. The remit of the local government system in Ireland is to deliver a range of services to the community that it serves, through a democratic system of locally elected councilors. However, it is increasingly recognized that development is a multi-dimensional process incorporating economic, social and environmental objectives, which can only be successfully delivered through the contribution of participatory governance embracing cross-sectoral partnerships.
