Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he plans to bring before Dáil Éireann legislation relating to a directly elected mayor of Dublin; if he plans to provide for directly elected mayors in other regions of the country and the regions involved; the timescale for their introduction; if the election of a mayor of Dublin and other regions will be accommodated within the same legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The introduction of 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.

A general scheme of legislation to provide for the Mayor for Dublin was published on my Department's website yesterday, as an opportunity for further consultation before the Bill is finalised, and to facilitate early implementation of the Bill's provisions once enacted. Copies of the general scheme have been provided to each of the Party Leaders and spokespeople on local government, as well as to the Dublin local authorities.

I am conscious that, given the proximity of this year's inaugural mayoral election, interested parties are very keen to examine and have an opportunity to provide input into, the draft legislation. I have invited each political party spokesperson to a meeting in the coming days to discuss the general scheme.

The general scheme provides solely for the election of a Mayor for Dublin, and the Bill is now being drafted as a priority.

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. A Cabinet Committee has been established to finalise the major strategic directions for inclusion in the White Paper.