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Astrid Fitzpatrick of the Dutch Bike Shop with Lord Mayor Nial Ring and his new Gazelle City Bike. Kieran Ryan

Poll: Do you think mayors should be elected directly?

Should constituents directly elect their mayor, or should councillors retain that responsibility.

DO YOU THINK people should elect their mayor directly, as opposed to giving that power to councillors?

Local authorities in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Galway are to ask their constituents to vote on whether they would like to elect their mayor in the future, RTÉ reports.

Although not legally binding, if voted in it could put pressure on the government to implement that change. The mayor, or cathaoirleach, is in charge of chairing meetings of their local authority or municipal district.

So… Do you think mayors should be elected by their constituents?


Poll Results:

Yes (6240)
No (2023)
I don't know (451)

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48 Comments
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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:01 AM

    Yes, and I also believe a vacant council seat should go before the electorate and not given to another family member!

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    Mute paul gurney
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:07 AM

    @Charliegrl80: Well Said

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    Mute man.over.board
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:42 AM

    @paul gurney: Or to next in line from the results of the ballot?

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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:05 AM

    Without significant executive power this is pointless.

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    Mute Alan Desmond
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:14 AM

    @Clifford Brennan: And yet we are about to have a Presidential Election……

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    Mute Skangerland
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:48 AM

    @Alan Desmond: I think Clifford’s point is that without significant executive power this would be a pointless replication of the existing system.

    Dublin, for example, already has a Lord Mayor, which is a largely ceremonial position akin to the President’s.

    In contrast, a Mayor with significant executive power would be more akin to a Taoiseach.

    So it’s not that we shouldn’t have a President (I know some would say we shouldn’t, but that’s a separate argument), it’s that having two would be pointless.

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    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:35 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: Agreed. If we still paid rates our mayors would have local income which they could direct into local initiatives. Under the current system, our would-be mayors will be channeling a very limited pool of funds.

    Compounding the issue, as long as councillors keep voting to cut the LPT – any would-be mayor has their funding cut even further.

    It seems like a sop to me to distract from the centralisation of power that’s been going on for years.

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    Mute Gerry Ashe
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    Oct 1st 2018, 3:48 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: agreed no point at all without powers but there needs to be a Mr Dublin. For example during any major event like the snow earlier this year someone needs to be responsible otherwise you have some transport working some not some schools closing some not some government departments open some not and everyone blames someone else the buck needs to stop somewhere not with faceless public servants who fonts know themselves who is responsible. If we had a Grenfell Tower situation there would be so many people taking charge and yet no one who would take responsibility. Dublin needs a directly elected Mayorwho would be accountable to the electorate.

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    Mute Dublin Cycling
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:18 AM

    If anyone is wondering about the context of the photo of the Lord Mayor with his bicycle, we crowdfunded an official bike for him after he had a spot of bother parking his official car in a cycle lane: https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/official-bicycle-lord-mayor

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    Mute B9xiRspG
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:28 AM

    @Dublin Cycling: Brilliant! :)

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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:29 AM

    @Dublin Cycling:
    He ( or his driver to be exact ) made a gaffe that day, and gracefully conceded so, and afforded the photo op above to you within a few days . The current Mayor is a weekly parkrunner and supported the Dublin Sportsfest week brilliantly including the taking part in the great Dublin bike ride.

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    Mute Anthony Clark
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:56 AM

    @Joan Ryan: “He ( or his driver to be exact ) made a gaffe that day, and gracefully conceded so..”

    Yes – I’ve heard this story from the “Dublin Cycling” on the radio several times now – and I think they are rubbing it in at every opportunity – they should give the Mayor some credit for making good (I think he has over-apologised by now) rather than continuing bashing him for their own personal publicity.

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    Mute Dublin Cycling
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    Oct 1st 2018, 1:06 PM

    @Anthony Clark: We haven’t been bashing the Lord Mayor at all, far from it. The entire story around the official bicycle was good-natured and we have been regularly sharing updates on Twitter about the Lord Mayor using his bicycle. Like this one from this morning, for example: https://twitter.com/dublincycling/status/1046681741925249024

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Oct 1st 2018, 1:31 PM

    @Dublin Cycling: So, Ye had a whip around and bought a rich person a bike…..well done you

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    Mute Hellenize Dublin
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:38 AM

    If you believe in democracy in its purest form, yes

    If you believe in oligarchy, no

    It’s fairly simple.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:23 AM

    How would it work? Are we handing executive powers over to a single person? Would that persons policies have to be approved by the council? I’m all for local authorities having greater powers as government in this country is too centralised, but not sure how this plan would work. It won’t happen anyway as it wouldn’t suit the bigger parties.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:42 AM

    @Dermot Lane: It works here in Bulgaria. Down to the smallest towns and villages elect a mayor. He’s the one responsible for all public services in that town or village.
    There’s someone accountable for what’s going on.

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    Mute john doe
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:19 PM

    @Dave Doyle: france too Dave. The mayor is responsible for local police, schools, parks roads etc. They have a proper budget. If not run correctly the mayor is accountable to the electorate and cant hide behind non elected council officials like they do here.

    Ive seen local newspapers front page with a picture of a councillor critising the council for the condition of a public road. Which he is supposed to be reaponsible for (even if he has feck all power)

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:40 PM

    @john doe: Accountability is never part of the agenda in Ireland.

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    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:45 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Ah yeah, the Bulgarians clearly believe their public officials are accountable and honest, as evidenced by their score of 71st in the corruption perceptions index, on a par with South Africa!

    https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2017#table

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    Mute Niall Brew
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    Oct 1st 2018, 2:24 PM

    @Dave Doyle: And Bulgaria is? Seriously…

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Oct 1st 2018, 6:37 PM

    @Rónán O’Suilleabháin: Corruption here for the most part is criminal. Politicians involved with and protecting their mafia buddies. Some mayors in some areas use their budget for themselves and do nothing for the people, they don’t last long in office.
    That said, people in office are held accountable. Two years ago 4 Border Police Chiefs were dismissed for not doing their job properly and on the mere suspicion of people trafficking. The head of the roads dept was dismissed when a woman was killed because a piece of tunnel fell on her car as she went through it. Dismissed, no pension, no tribunals, no commissions.
    Also, the Public Health system, though not as good as other EU countries works and is far superior to what Irish people tolerate. Public Transport works, car insurance is state run, no cartels. basic insurance is affordable. Car tax and the NCT equivalent is a far superior system than Ireland’s. Long very hot summers in a country without anything like Ireland’s natural resource doesn’t see a “hose pipe ban” or other restrictions. TV channels and MSM informs people of what’s happening in the country, they investigate corruption in business and government and are not afraid to broadcast or publish.
    There is corruption here and it’s exposed. People held accountable. Unlike Ireland where it’s covered up, kept hidden by a compliant national broadcaster and MSM.
    For the poorest country in the EU they look after their citizens and do many things very well.
    People here wouldn’t tolerate what what the Irish people put up with.
    Your link doesn’t explain things very well, does it?

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    Mute Tom Purcell
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:42 AM

    So how will this work – I presume they do the usual waste –
    1) we keep the current mayor(s) and their ceremonial position?
    2) we keep the current city/county manager?
    3) we elect a new post to do what the other two posts are already doing in addition to the existing admin.

    No cost or operational efficiencies gained…but the civil sevants are happy as there is another person to share responsibilities???

    Waterford now has a:
    Waterford City and County Council Mayor,
    Waterford City and County Council Metropolitan District Mayor.

    As well as the appointed officials to manage the city/county… but yet another post needed???

    If necessary, make the City/County manager’s position a directly elected appointment – job done, responsibility fixed and no extra administration cost…

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    Mute Stephen Kelly
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:33 PM

    We don’t need mayor’s.

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    Mute Sinead Fox
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:11 AM

    At what cost to the tax payer? Kilkenny share it around, what’s the big deal?

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    Mute iComment
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    Oct 1st 2018, 12:01 PM

    There are 949 councillors in Ireland who are elected in local government elections…..Labour party said last week they deeply regret reducing the number when they were in government……Why not say a Mayor is worth 3 councillors and reduce council by 3 members for thoes that have a elected Mayor….

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Oct 1st 2018, 11:48 AM

    Will the candidates be nominated the same way as the presidentials were? that was a fix.

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    Mute Clear And Graphic
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    Oct 2nd 2018, 6:04 AM

    @Sean Conway: Filtered democracy. In other words, quiet corruption.

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    Mute Peter Buchanan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 3:22 PM

    Would they expect to be paid? If so, who is going to pay them and out of what budget will this money come out of? This country’s problem comes from too much government, not too little.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Oct 1st 2018, 3:28 PM

    @Peter Buchanan: I’d say too much centralised government, not enough local government

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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 8:31 PM

    @Peter Buchanan: if you make the post ‘ unpaid ‘ then only ‘ rich ‘ people can afford to put themselves forward.
    It is reasonable that somebody taking on the post l would be remunerated for their work.
    Otherwise only those with a private income would be able to do any public job.
    The remuneration should not be bonkers, but in line with the number of hours worked. I’d imagine being Lord Mayor is a 7 day per week job.

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    Mute Samuel Duffy
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    Oct 1st 2018, 3:38 PM

    Why does Dublin have a ‘Lord’ Mayor ? We are not a Monarchy

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    Mute Richard Barrett
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    Oct 1st 2018, 4:15 PM

    Definitely yes, and it is beyond ridiculous that Dublin’s desperately needed executive mayorship has been put back for, it seems, several more years. When a Dublin mayorship finally comes, it should be the sole mayorship for city and county. We should resist retaining mickey-mouse “ceremonial” mayors alongside the real one. That achieves nothing except confusion.

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    Mute Fiasco99
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    Oct 1st 2018, 8:12 PM

    @Richard Barrett: local authorities in Ireland have practically no powers compared to almost every other country. Irish water, OPW, TII and voluntary housing organisations have elemenated or reduced core functions over the years.

    Even if they were given half the powers that the existing LA have, it would still be pointless.

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    Mute Fiasco99
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    Oct 1st 2018, 8:08 PM

    There is already too many politicians. Unless there is a significant reduction in city/county councillors no way.

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    Mute Dáithí O Raghailaigh
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    Oct 1st 2018, 3:46 PM

    Its not that hard to get elected to the councils, some are elected with merely hundreds of votes , the extended family could get them elected. An elected mayor would be great, but this from what I read is just a powerless rubber stamp

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    Mute Kevin O Regan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 5:45 PM

    The people of Clonakilty directly elect their own Mayor!
    When our Town Council was abolished we held our own local election where the people of the town elected five candidates to sit on our Mayoral Council for a five year term.
    Each successful candidate then has the honor of being Clonakilty’s Mayor for a one year term.
    This is purely a ceremonial position with no statutory rights, each person receives no payment or indeed expenses.
    #civic pride #clonakilty

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    Mute Fred Coloe
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    Oct 1st 2018, 4:42 PM

    Anybody who doesn’t vote yes is effectively saying they prefer Parish Pump politics aka corruption/cronyism. Currently 22% of respondents!??? Incredible.

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    Mute Kevin O Regan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 5:44 PM

    The people of Clonakilty directly elect their own Mayor!
    When our Town Council was abolished we held our own local election where the people of the town elected five candidates to sit on our Mayoral Council for a five year term.
    Each successful candidate then has the honor of being Clonakilty’s Mayor for a one year term.
    This is purely a ceremonial position with no statutory rights, each person receives no payment or indeed expenses.
    #civicpride #clonakilty

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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Oct 1st 2018, 8:33 PM

    @Kevin O Regan:
    So you’ve said.
    I think that is reasonable to remunerate any citizen for work done.on behalf of a town/city. Otherwise only those with a Private income can put themselves forward.

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    Mute Clear And Graphic
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    Oct 2nd 2018, 6:03 AM

    Yes. In Drogheda the local FF/FG/Labour elected operate an unofficial cartel to pick the mayor. They have previously excluded one person that massively was supported at election time by three times more votes than any of themselves – yet they group ganged up and blocked the most popular by far, lady.

    I suspect other local councillors are doing same around the country. It’s just more quiet corruption around the country which we know is happening but we turn a blind eye to.

    It’s time to stop!

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    Oct 1st 2018, 5:29 PM

    Pointless without powers.

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    Mute Jeremy Jimmy Carlo
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    Oct 1st 2018, 5:18 PM

    In this age, What in the name of god are we doing with Mayor’s ?
    Time to get rid of this nonsense . Havent we got City Managers .. What do we need a Mayor for ?. Utter nonsense ..

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    Mute Andre le Flohic
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    Oct 2nd 2018, 7:55 AM

    the president should too !

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    Mute sandra clifford
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    Oct 3rd 2018, 7:04 PM

    We dont need any mayors be better if they were done away with we dont need mayors jobs for the boys a waste of taxpayers money that could be spent on better things

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    Mute Good enough for Jehovah
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    Oct 1st 2018, 10:31 AM

    Give them proper Mayoral powers first

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    Mute mike
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    Oct 1st 2018, 2:39 PM

    South Dublin County Council: https://youtu.be/UyT5A0CwWYg

    End…

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    Mute Clear And Graphic
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    Oct 2nd 2018, 7:32 AM

    @mike: A bit of an explanation might help.

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