John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the question Deputy Michael Collins asked in respect of Cork, the Government made a decision more than 12 months ago that the question would be put in the three local authority areas in which the plebiscites are being asked. Ultimately, it is the objective of Government that every local authority would be looking at having a directly elected mayor, if the question is successful in the three areas where the plebiscite is being held. It will be similar to other jurisdictions in that it is a learning process as well. As it is our nearest neighbour, we often possibly look too much to the UK in terms of different sectors of government.

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