Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank speakers from all sides who participated in this very constructive debate. I reiterate the Government position of engaging with all interested parties in advancing this important issue. I thank the Green Party and Deputy Lahart of the Fianna Fáil Party for proposing Private Members' Bills on this issue last night and tonight.

The Government is proposing an appropriate amendment which will give a Second Stage reading also to the Green Party Bill on 30 June 2017. This will allow time for proper consideration to be given to the complex underlying issues associated with establishing a directly elected mayor for Dublin. First and foremost, it will be necessary to decide on the appropriate range of functions that could be assigned to a directly elected mayor for Dublin and from where these functions will come. This necessitates advance consultation with the bodies from which these functions may be transferred, as well as relevant sectoral interest groups and the general public.

The establishment of a directly elected mayor and regional authority would have major implications for the future of local and regional government arrangements across the greater Dublin area and these must be properly assessed. As Deputy Catherine Murphy stated, the greater Dublin area encompasses counties Meath and Kildare and other areas. With the capital expanding, it is difficult for some people living in other counties to accept that they are part of the greater Dublin region because this has consequences as well as benefits.

It will be necessary to clearly define the relationship between the directly elected mayor and the four existing local authorities in Dublin. Any proposal for a directly elected mayor and regional authority must also have full regard to cost implications and staffing issues and the associated impact on the budgets and staffing levels of the existing local authorities.

I accept the sincerity with which the Green Party, in particular, Deputy Eamon Ryan, have tabled the Bill and the Government is open to considering any workable proposals. The programme for a partnership Government includes a commitment to consider directly elected mayors as part of wider potential local government reform measures, including greater devolution and municipal governance. The programme states that, having consulted widely with all relevant stakeholders, a report for government and the Oireachtas will be prepared by mid-2017 on such measures. Work on preparing this report is already under way, with the aim of building on the progress made under the previous reform programme. Decisions will be a matter for the Government and the Oireachtas, as is appropriate, following consideration of the report.

All of us share a collective responsibility to ensure that the establishment of a directly elected mayor and regional authority will best facilitate the social and economic development of Dublin and that this will, in turn, benefit the country as a whole. The Government will approach this issue on the basis of benefits that have been identified and whether these benefits outweigh the costs that will be involved.

The Government side recognises that there could potentially be benefits to be derived from the establishment of a directly elected mayor and this warrants further serious consideration in the months ahead. We look forward to continuing to work in cooperation with all sides who have participated in recent debates to advance this important issue. The amendment we are putting forward is consistent with the commitments in the programme for Government and will provide the appropriate context for advancing to consideration of legislation on this matter.

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