NEWS THAT DUBLINERS may be given the chance to vote on whether they want to elect a mayor during the local elections next year has been welcomed by a number of politicians and councillors.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made the announcement in Co Mayo earlier today.

“We’ve received the reports on the reform of local government in Dublin, including the election of a directly elected mayor,” Varadkar said.

That report must now be referred to a joint Oireachtas committee, he added, before a decision could be made by government about holding a one-off vote on whether Dublin should elect a mayor. 

“And we’ll be looking for a report from those committees before the end of the year,” he said, “so that we can then make a decision and response from government early in the new year with a view to putting a question to people in Dublin at the same time as the local and European elections, on a plebiscite, as to whether we should directly elect a mayor for local government in Dublin.” 

The prospect of an elected mayor for Dublin came before the Citizens’ Assembly back in April of last year and speaking prior to that, Varadkar said:

“In Dublin we have an unusual arrangement with the four local authorities and four mayors.  It is next on the list to have a citizens’ assembly on the issue.”

‘Long overdue’

A number of TDs and local councillors have welcomed the news. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said he was “delighted” in a tweet this afternoon.

“The City deserves a person who lays out a vision for its development, and can be held to account for its successes or failures. Long overdue,” he said.

Dublin Fingal councillor Joan Hopkins said a mayor for Dublin who is “elected by the people and has actual powers” has her vote, adding: “We do badly need this.”

I've been a councillor for 4 years, was on the Citizens' Assembly that recommended this, and worked for the directly elected mayor of London. It is clear as day to me that Dublin *needs* a role like this to build the city we deserve. Hugely important decision ahead for Dubliners

Fianna Fáil TD and party spokesperson on local government Paul McAuliffe also welcomed the news.

“Dublins are becoming increasingly becoming frustrated that when it comes to major decisions impacting on their lives in their city, they find that those for whom they voted for, do not have the power to make or rescind a decision,” the former Lord Mayor said.

“Having a directly elected mayor would enable the people of Dublin to have a greater say over how services and infrastructure are delivered and how the city develops. Not only would it provide strong, decisive leadership but also bring forward accountability.”

Green Party councillor Michael Pidgeon said he was on the Citizens’ Assembly that recommended the vote for an elected mayor of Dublin.

“It is clear as day to me that Dublin needs a role like this to build the city we deserve. Hugely important decision ahead for Dubliners,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Lord Mayor and Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu said a plebiscite is “just another delay” and called on the Government to pass legislation on the vote. 

“Instead of voting next year on if we want a directly elected mayor we should be electing who that person is,” she said.

“We have perhaps the weakest local government in Europe. This is the root cause of many of the problems facing our capital and indeed facing the cities across Ireland.

“We need stronger local government, with real powers and real accountability. We have had a so much stalled reform in the past, this plebiscite is simply more stalling – get on with passing legislation.

“We as a country have been called out for our weak local government, not only from inside Ireland but reports by the Council of Europe in the past have called it out too. At each iteration of reforms, we have seen a weakening of local leadership and local government.

“Central government must stop undermining local decision making. Limerick City is a perfect example of such a delay. There was a vote of the people to approve setting up such a position, yet four years later where is the job?”

The Assembly that produced this latest report was made up of 80 members; Chairman Jim Gavin, 67 randomly selected citizens of Dublin City and County, and 12 elected councillors that were nominated to participate.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was one of the speakers who addressed the Assembly and at the time he warned that moving to a directly elected mayor could be “a dog’s dinner” if it were not done with care.

One of Ahern’s concerns was that “a lot of celebs would run for it, who wouldn’t care two damns about the city.”