Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 596: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the system of directly elected mayors will be introduced; when the first such election will be held; if this system will be extended beyond Dublin; if so, when it will be introduced into areas outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 596 together.

The election for a regional Mayor for Dublin will be held this year. A date has not yet been fixed for the election. The necessary legislation to provide for the Mayor and to address the electoral arrangements involved is being advanced as a priority. I intend to publish the general scheme of the legislation for consultation purposes as soon as possible, and then to engage with the Dublin local authorities on practical implementation issues. The issue of democratic local government leadership elsewhere will be addressed as part of the wider approach to local government which will be presented in the White Paper on Local Government. The approach to the White Paper is currently under consideration by Government.