Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps before we have the debate on the powers of the new lord mayor of Dublin, we should have a discussion on the effects of this change on the four local authorities in Dublin and those in counties Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. We should discuss the proposed new structure and the role of the councils and the county manager. Before the Bill is introduced, the House should be informed about what is likely to be coming down the road regarding the lord mayor's powers, whether they will be worthwhile or whether the office will just be another layer of bureaucracy. That is my worry about the concept of the lord mayorship. It is one thing to refer to the role of the lord mayor in London and New York but Ireland is a different country and I wonder whether many committees will be abolished as a result of the creation of the lord mayor's office. This is related to local democracy at the end of the day and I want to be sure the views of every person will be reflected by the local authorities.