The Monitoring Committee, of The Congress of Local & Regional Authoirties, met in Matosinhos, Portugal, in February to discuss reports on their work todate monitoring local and regional democracies in a number of european countries. The work includes; observations of elections, examining compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-government by members States & Human rights at local & regional level. I am honoured to be 1 of the 2 delegates representing Ireland.  Along with my colleague Cllr Pat Daly, Co. Clare.