Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

In his earlier address to the House, Deputy Phil Hogan said the principle of a directly elected mayor of Dublin will find political favour with Fine Gael, but before this happens the Minister must bring forward a White Paper on local government, as was promised in 2008. It is a bit like putting the cart before the horse with €2.8 million being cut from the social welfare budget. It is time that the Green Party gave up the ghost on the directly elected mayor project.

The introduction of a directly elected mayor, at a cost of €10 million plus annually, is hypocritical when there are more than 400,000 people on the dole. At a time when the IMF, the ECB and the EU are holding our purse-strings, does the Minister, Deputy Gormley, want us to look like fools? There is a time and a place for all things, but this is not the time and Dublin is not yet the place for this idea. Dublin is neither New York nor Barcelona and I believe we can survive without a directly elected mayor for now.

What powers would a directly elected mayor have? Very few at present. Such a mayor would not be involved in the day-to-day running of the city, but would merely sit on an advisory board of the National Transport Authority. In addition, the mayor would have no power over the city's budget and no role in policies on housing, waste disposal, planning or water. The balance would always rest with the local authority.

At a time when the Government is borrowing €85 billion, how in God's name can the Minister justify this budget for a directly elected mayor? This is nothing more than a vanity project for the Greens.

I fully support the idea of a directly elected mayor, chosen by the people of Dublin, but only if the position has real and positive power. It should not just be a job for the boys. There are many more worthy causes at present, such as maintaining home help services, keeping community schemes afloat, and giving back the Christmas bonus to those in need.

During my time as Lord Mayor of Dublin I was struck by the respect and loyalty people had for the office. On many occasions, I was deeply moved and humbled by people's approach to a visit of the lord mayor to their community. The lord mayor's office gives people a sense of pride. It was evident to me that the citizens of Dublin embraced the role of the lord mayor as one of their own, and not just a figurehead surrounded by pomp and ceremony.

As one who has had the privilege of being Dublin's first citizen, I know the office of lord mayor is a vital link with the community and local authorities. There is a role for both a lord mayor and a mayor of Dublin, but it is how we approach this role that will make the difference to our city. However, the directly elected mayor project is a waste of time and money at a time when this country is seeking a helping hand. We should get our own house in order before deciding to proceed in that way. The Minister is not living in the real world. He is caught up in his own fantasy land. Our country is broke so the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the rest of his Green fairies should pack up and leave before the walls come tumbling down on their cosy little cartel. I totally object to the position of a directly elected mayor of Dublin at this time.

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