Government and politics in Northern and Western, Ireland: official figures
The regional tier of local government in the Northern and Western Region is the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, set up by S.I. No. 573 of 2014 (signed on 15 December 2014) and in operation since 1 January 2015; it has 21 members and its headquarters are in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
Who sits on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly?
The Northern and Western Regional Assembly is not directly elected: its 21 members are councillors appointed by the 9 constituent local authorities of the region, Cavan County Council, Donegal County Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council, Mayo County Council, Monaghan County Council, Roscommon County Council and Sligo County Council.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyWhat does the Northern and Western Regional Assembly do?
The Northern and Western Regional Assembly is responsible for drawing up and implementing the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Region, supporting economic development and co-ordinating EU-funded programmes; it works through strategic planning area committees for Border and West.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyWho chairs the Northern and Western Regional Assembly?
The assembly elects a Cathaoirleach (chair) and Leas-Chathaoirleach (deputy chair) from among its own members, and members appointed to the EU Committee of the Regions from its councils also sit on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyMore figures
- Seats on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly are fixed by the establishment order: Mayo County Council appoints 3 members and Galway County Council 3, with most other councils appointing 2 each. Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copy
- With 21 members for 905,439 residents counted in Census 2022, each member of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly represents about 43,116 people, the fewest of 3 regions. Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copy
How Northern and Western compares with other statistical regions
Members of the Regional Assembly (2014)
Northern and Western ranks 3 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Members of the Regional Assembly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern and Midland | 35 |
| 2 | Southern | 27 |
| 3 | Northern and Western | 21 |
Residents per Regional Assembly member (Census 2022) (2022)
Northern and Western ranks 3 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Residents per Regional Assembly member (Census 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern and Midland | 72,580 |
| 2 | Southern | 63,089 |
| 3 | Northern and Western | 43,116 |
More on Northern and Western: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Ireland
Sources
- Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book: S.I. No. 573 of 2014: Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b6dea72d3d80…)
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