John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend local government power structures for local authorities outside of Dublin at the same time as he proposes to introduce a directly elected mayor for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42776/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he plans to publish legislation to establish a directly elected mayor of Dublin; if his 2010 timeframe for elections is still his policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42823/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to publish the White Paper on local government reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42775/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 60 and 63 together.

On 12 May 2009 I announced that the Government had decided to introduce a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin Region in 2010. This decision arises from the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin, and from the considerations in the Green Paper on local government which I published in April 2008.

The Government's decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin will deliver significantly strengthened leadership for the city and region, with enhanced accountability and a direct connection with the citizen.

The timing of the introduction of the Mayor is unchanged – I intend that mayoral elections will be held next year. Given this intention, it will be necessary to have the relevant legislation in place in advance. To these ends, I will bring a draft scheme of a Bill to Government in the coming weeks to provide for the Dublin Mayor.

The proposed White Paper on Local Government will set out policy on a wide range of local government issues. The Government decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor for Dublin in 2010, and the legislation to provide for it, marks a first step in implementing broader local government change. Many of the policy decisions in the White Paper will require further legislative change over the coming years.

The White Paper, which I will bring to Government shortly, will also reflect the commitments made in the renewed Programme for Government in respect of local government, including the strengthening of the strategic role and functions of regional authorities.