Mr. David Branagan:

Fingal Chamber welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the matter of a directly elected mayor for Dublin. Our organisation represents over 500 businesses and organisations, supporting more than 30,000 jobs in the Fingal region. As the independent voice of business in Fingal, we have a near 30-year history of advocating for business, facilitating networking, providing advice, working with local authorities and delivering pro-business and employment initiatives. Our members are spread across the north Dublin region and we have a vested interest in ensuring that any decision regarding a directly elected mayor takes into account the unique needs and dynamics of our business community.

The recent debate surrounding the introduction of a directly elected mayor for Dublin has been of significant interest to us and we would like to acknowledge the extensive work carried out by the citizens' assembly on this issue. At this moment, Fingal Chamber neither supports nor opposes the idea of a directly elected mayor, but we believe it is essential that a comprehensive and balanced perspective is provided to citizens, and to the business community, in advance of any plebiscite on the matter.

We have some considerations, one being clarity of roles. It is essential that roles, duties and decision-making procedures be clearly defined if a directly elected mayor is to be established. To guarantee equity in the distribution of funds and to encourage ease of doing business, this should involve distributing authority, allocating funds and cutting bureaucracy - all of which will ultimately boost economic well-being. On economic challenges, the Covid-19 pandemic, the lingering effects of international conflicts, the cost-of-living crisis and the cost of doing business have all presented serious obstacles for Dublin's business community in recent years. Any improvements to governance in light of these difficulties should prioritise boosting economic growth, simplifying procedures and removing bureaucratic roadblocks. Regarding the devolution of powers, the citizens' assembly made the recommendation that a new mayor of Dublin should take immediate charge of 15 areas, including emergency services, housing, homelessness, community healthcare, transportation and the environment. Since the management of these services would be greatly impacted by this proposal, the transition needs to be carefully thought out and financially supported. On funding and structure, the new office's finances, as well as any associated organisations like the Dublin city and county assembly, must be transparent and cost-effective. The impact on local service delivery, the level of staffing required and the sources of revenue for the new mayor's office should all be well defined. Accountability and transparency should be central to the design of a directly elected mayor's office. The mechanisms to ensure responsible governance and prevent potential drawbacks must be robust and well implemented.

We have several concerns and questions that need to be addressed. On the complexity and cost, we are concerned that adding another layer of government could increase complexity and costs, which may ultimately be borne by local taxpayers, including businesses paying commercial rates. While the idea of revenue-raising powers for a directly elected mayor is discussed, the details surrounding this, as well as the allocation of funds, must be clarified. On planning oversight, how a directly elected mayor would impact planning oversight and land use, especially in addressing housing supply issues, is a matter that requires careful consideration. With regard to the coverage area, we believe that if a directly elected mayor is to be introduced, their jurisdiction should cover the entire county of Dublin to ensure a cohesive approach to governing the region. On accountability versus continuity, the introduction of a directly elected mayor could potentially shift the focus towards a more populist style of politics. Balancing accountability with institutional continuity is a critical consideration.

At this stage, Fingal Chamber maintains a neutral position regarding the concept of a directly elected mayor for Dublin. We contend that any decision should be underpinned by clear costings, well-defined pathways for legislative changes and a comprehensive understanding of the areas affected by a new mayor. The potential benefits, risks, challenges and opportunities linked to this change should be thoughtfully analysed. In the interim, we stress the importance of increased collaboration among the various entities that influence our daily lives and local communities. Furthermore, we believe that empowering citizens to engage at the local level is paramount for effective governance. We appreciate the opportunity to engage in this discussion and look forward to further participation as this process unfolds. I thank members for their attention.