Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2021
63. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a directly elected mayor for Dublin; if this issue will be referred to a citizens' assembly; when a plebiscite on this question will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36705/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future contains a commitment to “Establish in 2021 a Citizens’ Assembly to consider the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin”.
The Department of An Taoiseach will be responsible for the Dublin Citizens' Assemby, which is to be established with a new chairperson and new members. Consideration is being given to the appropriate methodology for future citizens' assemblies, but decisions in this regard will be guided by the experience of the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality.
The commitment to establish a citizens' assembly to consider local government structures and a directly elected mayor for Dublin is recognition that the matter is a complex one, particularly given that Dublin currently has four local authorities.
A range of vital issues will be required to be considered, among them governance and accountability structures, the powers and functions to be held by a mayor of Dublin, the geographic area for which the mayor would be responsible, and the role of mayor in the future strategic and spatial development of the city.
The decision on whether to hold a plebiscite will be a matter for Government following the outcome of the Assembly's deliberations.
