James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The proposal lacked real powers. I would like to see councillors in a particular borough council in Dublin and Cork decide the function of mayor on a trial basis.

Members expressed their real concerns the last time on the whole issue of directly elected mayors. While it was one of the most controversial provisions of the Bill it made no reference to what powers those directly elected chairs or mayors would have. The powers to be given to the directly elected mayors in, say, Dublin and Cork, should be decided by the councils. This should be done on a trial basis and if it fails the legislation can be amended.