John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Department did not pay for it. I paid for it. I do not recall questions about the Dublin mayoralty. It will enhance the city greatly and has been called for by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. The role would evolve. If one talks to Ken Livingstone, for example, he will say that initially people were sceptical about the London mayoralty. He told me he, too, was sceptical and voted against the legislation when it came to the House of Commons although later, of course, he was a passionate advocate for the role of the mayor in London. People will criticise this move and say it is only starting off and that perhaps the Minister should award more radical powers. I believe the role will have sufficient powers. The person can be assured he or she will have powers to do a good job for this city. Whoever he or she may be, if I am in office as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, that person will have my full co-operation.

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