Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
788. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for a directly elected mayor of Cork; and if it will form part of the legislation regarding the expansion of the city. [37283/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to consider directly elected mayors in cities as part of a broader range of local government reform measures aimed at strengthening local democracy. In response to this commitment, a policy discussion paper on local government leadership, governance and administration, including in relation to directly elected mayors for cities, will be submitted to Government shortly. Among other matters, the policy paper examines the functions which could be assigned to directly elected mayors, governance arrangements which could underpin the role and plebiscites on the matter. Subject to Government approval, the policy report will be forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for consideration.
It is my intention that provision for the holding of plebiscites on the question of directly elected mayors with executive functions in cities other than Dublin will be included in the Local Government Bill 2018, which provides primarily for the alteration of the boundary between Cork City Council and Cork County Council.
