Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On amendments Nos. 83 and 84, I am satisfied that the Bill carefully respects the history and civic traditions associated with local government. It reiterates the recognition given in the Local Government Act 2001 to various historic charters for civic or ceremonial purposes. Specifically, it provides that the title of mayor will be reserved for cities, municipal districts which contain boroughs and county towns or towns with a population of over 20,000 at the last census. This provision was amended on Committee Stage in the Dáil to provide that this population figure would include all of the town environment, rather than just the element in the county in which the town was mainly located which would affect places such as Athlone and Carlow. In other cases, the office will be titled chair, Cathaoirleach or leader. Provision is also made for the use of titles of Lord Mayor or mayor in respect of cities, as was the case prior to the introduction of the Bill. Similarly, in the case of the merging authorities in Limerick and Waterford, it will be open to the overall authority to adopt the title of mayor in view of the fact that these will be city and county councils. This will provide an additional means of maintaining the identity of the cities in the context of the merged entities and, as such, I am opposed to amendment No. 83. It will be a matter for the elected members in these authorities to decide which title they would prefer to use.

The Bill provides that the option of adopting the title of mayor will no longer be available to county councils. This restores the position which applied prior to the Local Government Act 2001. Furthermore, while examples of largely rural authorities having a mayor can be found, the more usual practice internationally is for the office of mayor to be associated with significant urban centres. Confining the office of mayor to larger urban centres will enhance the status of that historic office. Therefore, I do not propose to accept amendment No. 84.