John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 156 together.

On 12 May 2009 I announced the Government decided to introduce a directly elected mayor for the Dublin region in 2010. This decision arises from the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a directly elected mayor of Dublin and from the considerations in the Green Paper on local government which I published in April 2008.

A central theme of the Green Paper on local government is the need for a renewal of local democratic leadership. The Government's decision to introduce a directly elected mayor of Dublin will deliver significantly strengthened leadership for the city and region, with enhanced accountability and a direct connection with the citizen. My Department is drafting the necessary legislation and it is my intention that the mayor will be equipped with a suite of substantial powers across the functions of local government, and will have the authority and powers to deliver real leadership for the city and region. The mayor will act primarily as a strategic policy maker who will also work to integrate the activities of local government and the wider public service in and across Dublin. The details of the mayor's responsibilities will be set out in legislation.

The Government decision on the Dublin mayor marks the first phase of the transformation of local government in accordance with the programme for Government. Given my intention that mayoral elections will be held next year, it will be necessary to have the relevant legislation in place well in advance. To these ends, I will be bringing my legislation proposals to Government in the coming weeks.

See this speech in context