Local Government Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (886, 889)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

886. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he and his Department have considered as part of the reform of local government to allow and make provision for an office of the newly directly elected mayor of Dublin in Brussels, in view of the benefits this has given to London as part of the Mayor of London's office in Brussels; if he believes such an office would provide Dublin with a clear voice in the EU, if he will ensure that its interests are taken into account by EU policy-makers when new initiatives are developed, and facilitating access to funding for Dublin to maximise gain from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37346/13]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

889. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a proposed plebiscite on the establishment of an office of a mayor may be put to an individual area, such as the current electoral area of Dublin; if he will detail the local authorities this plebiscite in 2014 will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37396/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 886 and 889 together.

The Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides for the potential to convene a special forum of the elected members of the four Dublin authorities to consider the options for local governance in the Dublin metropolitan area including the potential for a directly elected mayor for the area, which would be put for decision through a plebiscite held alongside the 2014 local elections. On 25 April 2013 I invited the Lord Mayor of Dublin to convene such a forum and to report by end-year, to allow Government to make appropriate decisions on the next steps in preparation for the plebiscite.

I understand the forum of the four Dublin local authorities has commenced its consideration of the options for a directly elected mayor, and it would be open to the forum, in considering the role and function of such an office, to include consideration of desirable supports in an EU context. I would envisage the poll at any plebiscite being taken across the four Dublin local authorities with one result being declared for the entire area.