Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 February 2010
589 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the plans for the election of a mayor of Dublin; the schedule that is now being followed in the matter; if a date for the election has been set; if consultation has taken place with the local authorities in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/10]
View answer596 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the system of directly elected mayors will be introduced; when the first such election will be held; if this system will be extended beyond Dublin; if so, when it will be introduced into areas outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 596 together.
The election for a regional Mayor for Dublin will be held this year. A date has not yet been fixed for the election. The necessary legislation to provide for the Mayor and to address the electoral arrangements involved is being advanced as a priority. I intend to publish the general scheme of the legislation for consultation purposes as soon as possible, and then to engage with the Dublin local authorities on practical implementation issues. The issue of democratic local government leadership elsewhere will be addressed as part of the wider approach to local government which will be presented in the White Paper on Local Government. The approach to the White Paper is currently under consideration by Government.
