Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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597. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it is planned that directly elected mayors will be afforded to other towns, particularly to towns that had former borough councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/19]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to consider the issue of directly elected mayors for Ireland's cities. In this regard, following consideration by Government, plebiscites will be held in respect of Cork City, Limerick City and County and Waterford City and County local authority areas.

The Local Government Act 2019 provides the statutory basis for the plebiscites which will be held at the same time as the European and Local Elections in May. In relation to Dublin, the issue will be referred for consideration to a Citizens' Assembly to be convened later in the year.

As regards other local authority areas, there has been consideration of governance arrangements and the office of mayor or cathaoirleach in that context. However, in the short-term, my Department is prioritising the arrangements for the plebiscites in May and further consideration will be given to arrangements in other local authority areas thereafter.