I thank all the Deputies who spoke during this debate for their contributions. It is important that a measure like this, which is about strengthening the democratic process, should have the fullest possible consideration by elected representatives. A hallmark of this legislation has been the fact that it has been the subject of a very open and extensive process of consultation, particularly in the context of the Green Paper on local government. This has greatly informed the provisions in the Bill, as well as the development of policy on local government reform generally.
In his opening speech the Minister, Deputy Gormley, acknowledged that the establishment of a directly elected regional mayor has met with some scepticism in certain quarters, which he ascribed in part to lack of understanding. For example, one newspaper, in its determination to find some crumbs of criticism, proffered the line that the mayor will not be able to interfere in the day-to-day running of bus or rail services in the capital or increase or decrease public transport fares. It is ironic, at a time when there is wide acceptance of the need to maximise efficiency and to rationalise public administration, to read suggestions that a regional mayor should become involved in day-to-day operational details, duplicating the role of the agencies that have the job of the day-to-day running of services. It is not desirable that the mayor spend his or her time tampering with fare structures or interfering with bus routes. Indeed, a number of speakers during the debate stressed that the office of mayor should not duplicate bureaucracy, which it certainly will not.
I welcome the fact that Fine Gael seems to support the principle of this measure. However, the party is putting about several misconceptions, some of which seem to be informed, or rather misinformed, by the sort of newspaper comment that I have cited. For example, Deputy Hogan wrongly claimed that the mayor would only have a civic or ceremonial role, that the mayor would not have power or influence, that there would be increases in taxes or charges, savings arising from the efficiency review would be gobbled up and new quangos would be created. All of these are incorrect.
Several Deputies spoke about proliferating quangos. The reality, as set out in the Bill, is contrary to these Deputies' impression. The four city and county development boards that currently exist will be merged into one regional development board, chaired by the mayor. That amounts to three fewer structures. The regional authority of Dublin will replace the existing regional authority. In doing so, the membership will be reduced from 30 to 16. That is a reduction of 14 members. I could go on but I hope I have made my point.
Deputies Brian Hayes, Mitchell and Creighton repeated some of Deputy Hogan's misunderstandings but they made some interesting points, particularly on wider local government issues, such as comments to the effect that there is need to address local government funding, amalgamate local authorities, have greater leadership in local government in Dublin and nationally, strengthen local government powers and functions and reduce the number of bodies and meetings. Deputy Mitchell commented that local government has the potential to transform the lives of people in Dublin and elsewhere, a view that is in line with the principles underlying the present legislation. However, her criticism of the division of the old Dublin County Council into three local authorities is somewhat ironic given that this process started under her party's Government in the 1980s, a change that was motivated to address the malpractices and inefficiencies associated with the previous regime.
Deputy Hayes seemed to struggle to come up with real criticism of the proposal and offered a rather bizarre comment that the mayor will not be able to interfere on a day-to-day basis with transport and traffic details. As the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, eloquently pointed out, what is required in the context of the directly elected mayor is strong strategies and strong policies. To suggest that the mayor should be involved in minor matters like moving bus stops or changing DART timetables undermines the Opposition attempt to discredit the legislation on grounds that the mayor would have insufficient power. I respect the right to criticise but I have no doubt the speakers on the Opposition benches who have the interests of local government at heart will, in time, come to acknowledge that their initial stance on the Dublin mayor was mistaken.
Deputy Creighton voiced some forthright views, such as the need to reduce bureaucracy, replace local councils with regional assemblies, reduce the number of local authorities, abolish smaller local authorities and reduce the number of councillors. Some of the views expressed in this debate will be relevant in the context of ongoing development of policy relating to local government. Moreover, efficiencies and savings will, of course, be pursued arising from the report of the local government efficiency review group. Deputy Ciarán Lynch acknowledged that the mayoral proposal was a good idea, but took issue with the legislation which, again, seems to reflect misunderstandings. I cannot see any merit in his proposal to defer the legislation. There has been far too much long-fingering of local government reform over the years and indeed decades. As the Minister said in his opening speech, there is a need for innovation in local government, and in other sectors, as an essential element in addressing the challenges that we face. To defer the mayoral proposal would be to succumb yet again to complacency and stagnation.
In supporting the Bill, Deputy O'Connor suggested that the powers of the office should be outlined. I am pleased to reiterate those powers. The Bill provides a substantial role for the authority in the core areas of planning, water, waste and transport, but also on a wider range of functions such as promoting enterprise and innovation, and promoting co-operation and joint action in a number of sectors such as business, educational, voluntary and cultural activity. Moreover, the Bill vests a number of powers specifically in the office of mayor, including the very important power to take on the function of making regional plans in certain circumstances and to issue directions and guidelines as well as an entirely new power to issue recommendations to local authorities on budgetary matters.
Deputy Upton said that what is clearly required is an office that is accountable to the electorate. The fact that the mayor will be directly elected to represent a population of more than 1 million people addresses this point emphatically. This region-wide electoral mandate and the mayor's position as chair of the authority ensure that the office holder will have primacy in the new arrangements. However, I am aware that the Minister is considering some further specific amendments on Committee Stage, in the light of views that have been expressed, to help further underpin the mayor's status and authority.
There seemed to be some contradictions in Deputy Upton's comments. She said that the proposed mayor would have planning powers over counties where residents would not have a right to vote in the mayoral election. She then went on to remark that, for the office to be effective in co-ordinating land use and transportation policy, it must intervene in areas outside the Dublin city and county area. The need for such co-ordination is a key reason the mayor will have a role in regional planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, GDA, including Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. However, the guidelines will be adopted also by the Mid-East Regional Authority, so there is no question of foisting a Dublin agenda on its neighbours.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh asked about the role in respect of tourism. Dublin is critically important to the nation's tourism industry and the role that the mayor will play in enhancing the capital's profile internationally is bound to provide an important boost to the sector. Tourism is, equally, very important to the economic success of the Dublin region and that will be reflected in the mayor's role and that of the regional development board in promoting the economic development of the region.
Deputy Clune claimed that there will be no opportunity for somebody with ambition in the office of mayor to prepare a draft manifesto spelling out how he or she believes the city can operate. That is incorrect. The mayor will be obliged to publish a regional strategy within six months. I understand that the Minister is proposing to strengthen this provision on Committee Stage by requiring greater detail regarding policies and measures proposed and public consultation.
A specific concern expressed by Deputy Noel Ahern was that there would be joint sessions of the Dublin regional authority and the Mid-East Regional Authority in which Dublin would have fewer members. I assume he is referring to the adoption of the regional planning guidelines. I can allay his concern in that regard as regional plans will, in future, be adopted by each of the regional authorities rather than in a joint session.
The success of the mayor will require a good working relationship with the local authorities. Deputy Noel Ahern made some interesting points about service on a local authority, including the fact that members sometimes do not realise, or fully utilise, the powers already available to them. Similarly, Deputy Tuffy pointed out that councillors can and have achieved much. There is a lot of truth in these points, but Deputy Noel Ahern also referred to the need to transfer some power from the manager. Having a directly elected mayor as the primary local government office in the Dublin region will make an important contribution to rebalancing the member-executive relationship.
I will conclude with a quotation from Professor Convery: "With a bit of luck...the Government's proposals for a directly-elected mayor of Dublin will be approved, and most of us will, in time, know who our mayor is, and be proud."
