Mr. Jim Gavin:

On the question of when the best time is, I get the point that if there are European or other elections, the Government could be distracted. It is the Government's policy. It has stated that it wants a directly elected mayor.

Then let us see the colour of its money in terms of how committed it is to this. If it is an isolated event, it puts all the spotlight on the Government. If it is a Government policy - which it is, as it is in the programme for Government - and what we pick up from all political parties seems to be in alignment, then we have the weight of the Oireachtas behind this, and that is a huge tide.

On the recommendations regarding what should be devolved, the idea is that it could be on a phased basis. The Citizens' Assembly is recommending up to five years for the whole tranche but we would understand if the intent is for devolution to evolve over the lifetime of the mayor as an office, which we hope will be for hundreds of years, we might go for transport, economic development, infrastructure, roads, footpaths, arts, culture, sport, the night-time economy, tourism and marketing in the first five years. That would certainly be a significant statement of intent by the Government.

From our perspective, we have just made those recommendations. It is up to the Government to decide which ones it wants to prioritise. However, I agree with the concept.