Directly elected mayor proposals
Deputy Ryan asks whether Cabinet has agreed proposals for directly elected mayors for Dublin and Cork, with plebiscites, powers and possible extension to other cities. The Minister says the plans are not yet before Cabinet but are being worked on and will likely involve a plebiscite.
At the weekend there was welcome news that the Government is considering introducing a directly elected mayor for Dublin and Cork. Will the Taoiseach confirm whether he has made a call on that today at the Cabinet meeting? If so, does he believe there will be a plebiscite to approve it? What sort of powers will the mayor have? What changes will there be in regional authorities? Would he consider other cities such as Galway, Waterford or Limerick for the scheme? Has the Cabinet signed off on this? What legislation is it intended to introduce?
Comment on this
Proposals on local government reform have not yet been brought to Cabinet but there is an intention to bring a directly elected mayor to Dublin and possibly Cork. We are working on those proposals at the moment. They will more than likely involve a plebiscite first.