Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 24:

In page 21, line 27, after “writing” to insert “and with the approval by resolution of the elected council”.

These amendments relate to the power of the mayor to delegate functions to the director general. We previously discussed the extraordinarily large numbers of powers that are going to remain with the director general, the seven to eight pages in the Schedule, and the two to three additional pages that are going to be added on foot of Government amendments. There is also a provision in this Bill that allows for the mayor to delegate such functions as might remain with the mayor. As I said, the majority are still sitting with the director general but the mayor can actually delegate even more of their functions to the director general. Again, there is a concern. The Minister of State has not provided a mechanism whereby we can increase the powers that the mayor has versus the director general. We are not being given a mechanism for taking things out of the Schedule but what we are having is a mechanism whereby powers can be taken and moved from the mayor to the director general. Yes, they are still a function but-----