Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I note this was discussed on Committee Stage, and I note there are other amendments on it. What I see being proposed is that the mayor will be consulted about the appointment of staff. In my opinion that is not good enough. Given that the mayor is supposed to have an independent role, they need to be able to select their own staff, and not have their staff imposed on them by anybody. At the end of the day, it is the mayor's programme for office that will be judged at the end of the five-year term. A mayor's staff will play a huge role in the programme. We will press the amendment.

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