Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the government to hold a vote for a directly-elected mayor on the same day Ireland goes to the polls to elect a new President.
While there is no set date for the presidential election (it must be held before November 11) and no indication that there will be a Dublin candidate on the ballot (despite rumblings of a Bertie Ahern or even a Mary Lou McDonald run), the Labour MEP says that Dubliners should still have the chance to vote for one of their own this winter.
Ó Ríordáin said that Dublin has four different local authorities “pulling in different directions,” and that a coherent political vision was needed for Dublin.
He said that at present, there is a “political vacuum at the heart of decision-making in our capital city.”
January’s Programme for Government makes reference to “consider further plebiscites in Dublin and other cities” while recent recommendations from the Dublin City Taskforce called for a directly-elected mayor, in line with what is seen in other cities.
In a recent interview with the Irish Examiner, Taoiseach Micheál Martin revealed his desire to restore town councils, further noting, “I like how France has a mayor in every village; there’s a sense of representation at all levels.”
The June findings of the Dublin City Taskforce noted, “Dublin has 1.45 million people, but decision-making power is unclear and often unaccountable. Councillors and voters are often sidelined once decisions are made.”
The Taskforce, commissioned by Tánsaiste Simon Harris, called for a new Dublin Assembly to oversee the Mayor’s performance, more power for councillors, and legal rights to be consulted before key decisions are made by the Mayor.
With a seeming buy-in at government level, Ó Ríordáin is now calling on the government to put its money where its mouth is and allow Dubliners to vote for a mayor.
“A directly-elected mayor could drive coordinated responses to the housing crisis, the climate challenge, and the state of our public services in Dublin,” he said.
“There is much that is great about Dublin, and we want to harness the spirit and energy of our city as a national and global melting pot.”
He noted that Dublin is used as a “punching bag” outside of Dublin in relation to funding, but said that Dublin deserves just as much investment.
“The reality is our city has never been properly invested in or received the attention from government it deserves; when Dublin thrives, Ireland wins,” he said.
“It is the engine of our economy and generates growth and revenues that provide opportunities for people across our island.”
“The government must now put this question to the people. A plebiscite on a directly elected mayor should be held on the same day as the presidential election this November. Dublin deserves a mayor with a mandate – it’s time to let the people decide.”