Ms Kate Feeney:

I am conscious I am here from the regional aspect, but from that aspect we would want to ensure our regional strategies are still being complied with so for any powers that are being devolved, that the regional structures and strategies are still being respected. The question would arise then as to whether the regional assembly would still have oversight of consistency with regional strategies.

From a local councillor's perspective, albeit that is not really the hat I am wearing today, where both the report and the recommendations are silent is on the powers that would remain with local councillors. There is a piece in there about the cathaoirleach staying on in a ceremonial position but if planning will go to the directly elected mayor, will councillors be still involved in the drafting of city and council development plans? It is one of the few powers we have. Our local community and economic plans are some of the few powers we have. The recommendations are silent on it. There is a devolution of power to the mayor. The recommendations not talk about what happens to the powers that are already at the lower tier. Will they go up to the mayor's office also? It is hard to comment when there is no recommendation specifically dealing with it.