Government and politics in Southern, Ireland: official figures
The regional tier of local government in the Southern Region is the Southern 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 27 members and its headquarters are in Waterford City.
Who sits on the Southern Regional Assembly?
The Southern Regional Assembly is not directly elected: its 27 members are councillors appointed by the 10 constituent local authorities of the region, Carlow County Council, Clare County Council, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Kerry County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Wexford County Council.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyWhat does the Southern Regional Assembly do?
The Southern Regional Assembly is responsible for drawing up and implementing the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region, supporting economic development and co-ordinating EU-funded programmes; it works through strategic planning area committees for Mid-West, South-West and South-East.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyWho chairs the Southern 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 Southern Regional Assembly.
Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copyMore figures
- Seats on the Southern Regional Assembly are fixed by the establishment order: Cork County Council appoints 5 members and Wexford County Council 3, with most other councils appointing 2 each. Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copy
- With 27 members for 1,703,393 residents counted in Census 2022, each member of the Southern Regional Assembly represents about 63,089 people, the 2nd most of 3 regions. Source: Office of the Attorney General, Irish Statute Book · saved copy
How Southern compares with other statistical regions
Members of the Regional Assembly (2014)
Southern ranks 2 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)
Southern ranks 2 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 Southern: 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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