Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join with my colleague Deputy Keaveney in commending the work of all our local government officials around the country. In my own case, these are the officials of Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. However, we need a dynamic elected leadership at all the major levels of local government. One of the most positive aspects of the Bill, which I strongly welcome, is contained in Part 10 which allows for a plebiscite to take place on the option of introducing a directly elected mayor of Dublin.

Having led the Labour Party on Dublin City Council, in the Civic Alliance, I was in the happy position whereby the Labour Party was the biggest party in the coalition. We were able to lead that coalition for many years. I have long advocated that Dublin City should have an elected mayor, so it is welcome to see that provision in section 61(2).

It is a pity that we could not have had the first such election next year. If so, all the potential candidates - including the Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar - could have gone before the people of the four Dublin counties.

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