Politicians react to directly elected mayor decision

FINGAL County Council’s decision not to adopt the resolution for holding a plebiscite on the establishment of an office of directly elected mayor for Dublin was one of the big talking points on the Northside last week.

Here’s a selection of some of the comments from local politicians and local election candidates on the issue.

*Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan:

“I gave the opportunity to the elected members to develop a proposal for a plebiscite. They have not achieved a consensus, and further assessment of options must await the new councils to be elected in May.

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*Labour MEP Emer Costello:

“As a former Lord Mayor of Dublin, I have seen at first hand the potential and opportunities that are lost because of the lack of joined up thinking across the Dublin region’s four local authorities. Dublin is seen as one region for the purpose of European election; it is time we started to talk about treating Dublin as one region for the purpose of management, investment and branding.

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*Swords ward councillor Darragh Butler (FF):

“The reason I abstained was that I did not want to vote against a plebiscite taking place, but at the same time I could not support something that was not detailed enough in my mind to put to a vote.

“I would rather put this to a vote when we definitively know what powers any proposed mayor would have, so we could have a proper debate as to whether or not this was good for Fingal and then have a vote.

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*Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Oisin Quinn:

“With the clear majority of councillors across Dublin supporting the holding of a plebiscite, I believe the Government should now proceed to hold the vote and let Dubliners decide whether or not they want a directly elected mayor.

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*Balbriggan ward councillor Tom O’Leary (FG):

“I welcome the commitment from Minister Hogan that the issue will be considered by the members of the councils after the local elections in May. This proposal is a major change for local Government and would have major implications for the Fingal area. It requires detailed consideration by the members of Fingal County Council and the voters in Fingal. In principle, I am in favour of a directly elected mayor, but the job specification and functions and cost benefit analysis must be clearly laid before the people and the councillors.

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*Green Party Leader, Eamon Ryan:

“The vote is a major step backwards for local Government reform in our country. Anyone who has worked on our city’s development knows that the current system is not working. There is no central co-ordinating role in planning transport, housing, waste or economic development. Other capital cities have already shown that a strong mayoral office can really work to the people’s benefit.

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*Balbriggan ward local election candidate, Joe O’Brien (Green Party):

“Dublin city and county is one economic area, and a level of local governance needs to reflect this.

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*Swords ward local election candidate, Duncan Smith (Lab):

“I am on record as saying that I was to this point unconvinced of the need for a directly elected Dublin Mayor. However, as someone who entered politics with a view of wanting to see things done differently and to see real reform, I feel the vote by Fingal councillors to deny a plebiscite is an opportunity lost to open a conversation with constituents.

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