Dublin's first Mayor to be elected next Summer

[cllr]

are current structures adequate for the people of Dublin?

I think we agree on this one Alonso. The answer clearly is NO.

[Lucan Lefty]

Dermo Lacey for Mayor!!

[greenporcupine]

I agree. If this office works, a similar one should be brought in for other major population centres.

Overall I'm all for real executive power being given to local authority, and the Dail taking a more legislative role.

All communities over 500 in France have an elected Mayor,and a commitee.

I said this before that it could revolutionise Irish politics,by involving people

in all areas of every day life on a regular basis.

When you think that with 65,000,0000, and growing,they hold it together most of the time surely Ireland can do better than so far.
I think the time for passive acceptance is over,there must be marches
alll the time until they get the message,the Irish are Awake and taking charge.

[alonso]

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley T.D. today (24 February 2010) published details of legislation to provide for a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin region.

Under the proposed legislation in the general scheme of a Local Government (Dublin Mayor and Regional Authority) Bill 2010, the Mayor will have a range of substantial powers to establish and deliver a vision for Dublin. The Mayor’s election, from a population base of 1.2million, will also give the Mayor a unique mandate in Irish political life to act as leader and advocate of Dublin.

Under the new powers, the Mayor will develop and oversee policy for the Dublin Region in land-use planning, housing, waste management, and water services. The Mayor will also have a strong role in transport and traffic management throughout the region. The legislation will give the Mayor the authority and powers to implement the policies which the Mayor and the revamped Dublin Regional Authority lay down. The Mayor will have a role in the annual budgetary process for the Dublin local authorities, and will have the power to direct any of the four Dublin councils and their managers in relation to policy issues.

The Mayor will also chair a powerful Regional Development Board which will include major public sector, educational and enterprise interests from across the Dublin Region.

News - Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government

[TradCat]

Did I hear correctly on the news this morning that there will be a new Mayor but that the Lord Mayor will continue to exist too. Wouldn't it make sense to combine them? There can only be one first citizen of a city.

[Toland]

Did I hear correctly on the news this morning that there will be a new Mayor but that the Lord Mayor will continue to exist too. Wouldn't it make sense to combine them? There can only be one first citizen of a city.

If that's true it's so confusing as to be downright stupid.

[TradCat]

Yes, it's stupid and true

However, the office of Dublin's lord mayor will continue with its home in the Mansion House.

RTÉ News: New Dublin mayor to control planning

[cgcsb2]

abolish the lord mayor? and save the tax payer money? in an economic recession? in Ireland? surely not?

[alonso]

It's not stupid. All Local Authoroties have de facto "Lord Mayors" called cathaoirligh and the 4 LAs in Dublin will continue to have them. It;s the same thing.

This new role (for the millionth time) has no relation whatsoever to the role of Lord mayor of Dublin City.

[TradCat]

alonso

No, it's really stupid. The chair of Dublin City Council should be called something else now. Cathaoirligh would be fine and no need for the free house.