I propose to take Questions Nos. 1441 and 1524 together.
The public commitment to introduce a directly elected Dublin Mayor has been a priority since the Government took office. The Green Paper on Local Government, published in early 2008, outlined the various options in regard to the establishment of the office, its functions and responsibilities. Consultation both preceded and followed the Green Paper's publication. In February 2010 the general scheme of the mayoral legislation was published on my Department's website. My Department has also been engaging with the four Dublin local authorities in relation to preparations for the introduction of the Mayor.
The development of the mayoral legislation has been steadily pursued since publication of the general scheme. Government has approved the text of the Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010, and the presentation of the Bill which will occur very shortly. Elections will follow as soon as possible after the enactment of the Bill.