Reykjanesbær opposition inquiries rise 850%, majority says

Written inquiries from opposition members of the Reykjanesbær municipal council have increased by 850% in the first five months of the current term compared with the same period in 2022, according to mbl.is, citing a summary by the municipality’s records department.

The council majority, made up of the Centre Party and Independence Party, said 19 inquiries containing 76 questions had been submitted in the period, compared with two inquiries and nine questions in 2022. It said the figures could only be explained by political motives and described the trend as an “inquiry epidemic”, comparing it with the Pirate Party’s practices in Iceland’s parliament several years ago.

The majority said responding to the inquiries can require significant work by municipal staff, including gathering information, compiling summaries, calculations and reviewing documents. It said there was no comprehensive record of the time or cost involved, but estimated the expense was substantial.

It proposed tracking the staff time spent answering formal inquiries from elected representatives, whether they belong to the majority or opposition. The majority also wants the time and estimated wage costs published alongside each response, saying taxpayers should be able to see how public funds are used.

The majority said it supports transparency in the municipality’s administration and respects the opposition’s right to obtain information and hold the council to account.