From top: City Hall, Dublin; Cian O’Callaghan
Dublin looks set to miss out on the opportunity to have a directly elected Lord Mayor, in favour of Cork.
There have been calls for Dubliners to be able to choose a mayor who could make executive decisions about how the city is run.
The Irish Independent claims a report to be presented to Cabinet will recommend Cork is prioritised as a test case for a directly elected mayor.
Dublin to lose out to Cork for directly elected Lord Mayor (Irish Examiner)
Fingal County Council Councillor Cian O’Callaghan of The Social Democrats, writes:
These reports are baffling. There is a strong and urgent need for a directly elected Mayor in Dublin. Dublin is facing a major housing and homelessness crisis…
…coupled with a democratic deficit in local government where most power and decision making lies with the four unelected chief executives of the Dublin local authorities.
We need unified democratic leadership of local government in Dublin and this postponement will only further hinder the economic and social development of our capital city over the coming years.
There is no reason why a directly elected Mayor cannot be introduced to Cork and other major cities simultaneously.
This proposal is the latest attempt by the Department of Housing and Local Government to maintain centralised control over local government.‘
Anyone?
Pics; Social Democrats/Rollingnews