Mr. Richard Shakespeare:

I welcome the opportunity to address this committee on the plebiscite for a directly elected mayor for Dublin. The work of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly should be commended. It is an ambitious and transformative proposal, a statement of intent to strengthen local government in its powers, funding and representation in recognition of the Dublin regions’ importance.

Dublin City Council has a long and proud tradition of serving the public and leading the direction, growth and development of the city. The city council comprises 63 elected members whose term of office commenced in June 2019. The executive, together with the elected councillors, has an ambitious vision for Dublin city, that is, to be a dynamic, sustainable city that is future ready, built on thriving, inclusive neighbourhoods and communities, a strong economy, a vibrant cultural life, and compact, connected growth. Our core principles of commitment to excellent public service, sustainability, leadership, ambition and fairness and accountability guide us in all elements of our work, in how we serve our communities and in the impact we have on the environment. More than ever, global and national trends and issues are impacting on the city region, and the council’s internal operating environment is constantly evolving to respond to these challenges and to deliver for the city and region.

As the municipal government for Ireland’s capital city, and the largest local authority in Ireland, the city council employs approximately 5,900 staff. The 2023 revenue budget amounts to €1.24 billion, while the three-year capital programme to 2025 amounts to €2.86 billion. The council provides a wide and diverse range of more than 800 discrete services to the citizens of Dublin city, the population of which was in excess of 590,000 at the latest census, to businesses and to visitors to the city. Activities are carried out in both physical works areas such as the provision and maintenance of housing and roads and in the areas of arts, sports, recreation and social services, such as libraries, sports facilities, parks, community development and housing welfare services. The city council provides emergency services and homeless services to the Dublin region through Dublin Fire Brigade and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, respectively.

Council facilities are spread geographically throughout the city and are located outside the Dublin City Council area. The city council is responsible for the social, economic, infrastructural and cultural development of the city. The range of services provided by the council could best be summarised by listing the programme group structures used by central government to classify the activities of all local authorities as follows: housing and building; road transportation and safety; development incentives and controls; environmental protection; recreation and amenity; education, health and welfare; and miscellaneous services.

I know the assembly had input from experts in their fields, including on the role of local government, its evolution and comparisons with other European cities where local government has responsibility for a much wider range of functions. The first recommendation of the assembly relates to the powers that should be devolved to a directly elected mayor and includes housing and homelessness; economic development; infrastructure, roads and footpaths; climate change; environment and biodiversity; planning, land use and strategic development; arts, culture and sport; night-time economy; tourism and marketing; waste management; community healthcare; emergency services; childcare; support for Traveller and Roma communities; transport; water; policing; primary healthcare; primary and secondary education; and the Gaeltacht and Irish language. It further recommended that powers for further and higher education and skills should be devolved to the office of the directly elected mayor and local government between five and ten years after its establishment.

Many of these functions are already within the core functions of the local authority sector - housing, planning, libraries and the public realm to name a few. Others are very effectively provided on a regional basis, such as homeless services and the fire service, for example. In other areas the council has moved away from the direct provision of some services such as domestic waste and fulfils a more regulatory role. What is proposed will bring about significant change across the entire public sector. While Dublin City Council often acts in partnership or collaborates with multiple agencies or bodies, for example in delivering events to promote and support tourism and the capital city, the body with overall responsibility for tourism is Fáilte Ireland. The local authority sector has always collaborated with and been supported by An Garda Síochána in joint policing committees and initiatives in local community areas, but currently Dublin City Council is not directly responsible and has no powers in relation to policing.

This is an ambitious programme, and to deliver it effectively will require a complete restructuring of not only local government but central government Departments and State agencies as well. A clear vision and a well-defined roadmap are required, including legislative changes, to enable buy-in and to deliver for Dublin and its citizens. We must reflect on the range of changes and reforms in recent years, such as the establishment of Irish Water or the National Transport Authority.

This is a major departure from what has been occurring over recent years and needs careful consideration.

The assembly's recommendation is that the directly-elected mayor should have an explicit power to initiate and to introduce new regulations in areas of policy where authority or responsibility has been devolved to him or her. This will require the removal or diminution of power from other areas or bodies to meaningfully effect reform.

A directly-elected mayor is achievable. It has the potential to become a catalyst for reforming the public sector and the systems within it. There are clear examples of similar structures in other European cities that work well and where local government has a much broader range of functions. However, this would require buy-in from Departments and Government agencies and local authorities and would require strong vision and leadership.

I note the final recommendation on the holding of a plebiscite. I fully endorse the proposal that the plebiscite should - I would say "must" - detail the proposed powers of a directly-elected mayor and the structures required. It is critical that the public have a clear understanding of what they are voting for.