We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE GOVERNMENT ARE delaying Fianna Fáil’s bill for a directly-elected mayor for Dublin until next year.
This is due to there being a commitment in the programme for a partnership government to consider directly elected mayors in cities as part of wider potential local government reform measures.
A counter motion to the Green Party’s bill on the same issue is also being tabled.
It’s understood the government is not opposed to the idea of a directly-elected mayor in principle – but believes that there needs to be wider consultation and discussion on the issue.
Therefore, Minister Simon Coveney sought approval from Cabinet today to decline the second reading of the Fianna Fáil bill until 30 June 2017.
Earlier today, Fianna Fáil’s Dublin South West TD and spokesperson for Dublin, John Lahart said he was confident his bill would be passed by the Oireachtas this week.
Under the party’s proposal, every citizen in Dublin city and county would get to vote in a plebiscite in May 2018, with first mayoral elections held in May 2019.
Speaking ahead of the debate tonight, he said Dublin currently has four local authorities, four chief executives, four mayors, 183 councillors, and countless state agencies in Dublin, and often they competing against each other rather than together.
Lahart used losing the Web Summit to Lisbon as one such reason as to why Dublin should have a directly-elected mayor.
“I think one of the most dispiriting interviews about Dublin in the last number of years was that with Paddy Cosgrave on Marian [Finuncane] on Saturday when he said Dublin didn’t have the capacity to hold an event with 53,000 delegates and we lost the web summit.”
“A directly elected mayor would provide singular leadership to this structure,” said Lahart, adding that the position would move beyond “ceremonial purpose”.
Dublin spokesperson
Admitting that he is a “jackeen” – as Dublin spokesperson – he said bringing in a directly-elected mayor for other cities like Cork or Limerick, would “confuse matters”.
The government’s standpoint is that other cities may well be considered in the wider context of local government reform contained in the programme for government.
The Green Party, who also has a bill for a directly elected mayor for the capital, said it would like to see a directly-elected mayor rolled out for cities around Ireland.
If and when introduced, how would the new office be paid for?
“I would see it as cost neutral, in that it would be met by the existing resources of the four local authorities,” said Lahart.
Speaking about the Green Party bill, Eamon Ryan said the funding for the new office would be be found within existing resources.
“We know we can do this without putting an additional burden on the tax payer,” he said.
Ryan said it is a move away from “unelected managers who aren’t answerable to anyone”.
He said it is “without a doubt a reduction of power of county managers, making them answerable to a directly elected mayor”.
When asked if county manager’s salaries would be impacted due to much of their responsibilities being transferred to the mayor, the Green Party leader said:
“It is not a cost issue it is a democratic issue.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dublin needs a directly elected mayor ASAP. There is no joined up thinking in the city and no one accountable or answerable for ” the state of the place”
And you think a mayor will solve the problems……
@Irish Cottage Rental:
But what power does the mayor have. If there is no power then why bother wasting money on an election. I live in Dublin so i would be delighted for some joined up thinking and accountability but someone needs the mandate to deliver or its just a waste of money
Someone want to enlighten me how DEM in other cities would confuse things.
Was the spokesperson dropped on his head or just plain tick as a brick.
@Paul: it would confuse bill
“Therefore, Minister Simon Coveney sought approval from Cabinet today to decline the second reading of the Fianna Fáil bill until 30 June 2017.”
Well done Simon democracy in action be proud…..
@Kerry Blake: The Directly Elected Mayor bills are deferred to mid-2017 to allow consideration of further reform of local authorities. For e.g. How does a directly elected mayor work with mayor-ship currently being largely ceremonial? What powers will be annexed from county managers? Where will budget come from? What powers would a DEM have? etc.
It makes sense to defer and study how other cities’ mayoral experiences have panned out..
@Paul Tao: much of that is in the green bill
Web summit left because of fg,labour,arrogance,incompetence no other reason.
@@mdmak33: Web summit left because Paddy Cosgrave was demanding large unaffordable state subsidies which Lisbon instead provided. It would be good if some entrepreneur could organize a similar Dublin-based Tech Summit which didn’t require the government following their every whim and moaning when they inevitably can’t provide subsidies.
My understanding is that this would not get rid of the lord Mayor of Dublin City who will continue to live in the mansion house. Rather it will provide a new elected mayor of a new Dublin authority comprising of the 4 Dublin councils.
Sounds like more high paid jobs for more political toffs.
We already have highly paid city managers, all we need is some effective management!
Dublin City has just spent another 160k on an annual literary prize shindig, whilst city libraries are being roboticised.
How many boarded up public housing units would that refurbish?
Another Political Appointee, NO THANKS ,by the way,anybody know who is the CEO of Asthma Society .?
Still banned?
@Hugh Mannattee:
Why the multiple comments asking ‘still banned’?
Because I was banned and was seeing if my comments were allowed.
Hugh Manatee banned from the Journal. Seems about right
I got into a spot of bother with the whingers the last night. I got banned for my troubles. You can insult travellers, Muslims, individuals, ethnicities, religions, God and Politicians but you can’t insult the pro-choice argument. That’s not allowed. Threats to users are fine but satirising ultra leftie robots is a bridge too far.
I see that the user who tried to pin my identity on someone else and made a creepy veiled threat is still allowed comment. Journal ethics 101. Don’t upset the abortion argument.
@Hugh Mannattee:
Welcome back, you are no longer banned it appears!
@Hugh Mannatee:
If you get banned for arguing the abortion debate I must try to lure Billy / Wally from the AAA into discussing abortion :)
I had to create a new Facebook page. They even asked for my phone number to make a new account. Every time I tried to make a comment they asked for my phone number. When I relented and gave my number all my comments were posted together. Well, at least now when Francis McCarthy asks his buddies for my identity they will be happy to tell him I’m not that other person.
@Hugh Mannatee: who was the other person?
Read the comments here. I don’t want to involve him any further. http://www.thejournal.ie/online-abuse-kevin-boxer-moran-garbriella-mcfadden-3093304-Nov2016/
@Hugh Mannatee: that’s not on …
FINANCE THEIR PROJECTS AND DREAMS
(queenethloans@gmail.com)
we give out loan in a low interest rate of 2%
The decision to embark on a project with 2, is one thing; Find funding to enable them to realize that is another.
In order to facilitate access to funding and concerns extend its program to strengthen the purchasing power
of citizens, are a group of individuals meeting within
a pprivate club and registered said advocates have access to better living conditions. We give credit
to all people of good character in well-researched and accessible to ordinary people conditions.
The quality of service of our agency will help you decide the personal loan that suits you offer any:
* Credit Financing * business loan * Investment funds
* Debt consolidation loans * The credit line
* Some mortgages *Acquisition of credit * Personal loans
You are the sole command and decide how much you are satisfied. Must be accountable for their spending. We take
care of providing you the amount needed to carry out your projects.
queeneth loans is a legit and certified loan company, well trusted and reliable money lending company.
apply today for more informations at ( QUEENETHLOANS@GMAIL.COM )
have your say