Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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1565. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date for a mayoral plebiscite for Cork city that will happen before the 2029 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42737/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 makes provision for a local authority, including Cork City Council, to hold a plebiscite on the question of whether to have a directly elected Mayor with executive functions for their administrative area.

A plebiscite of the electors of an administrative area may be proposed in three ways:

1. where a local authority Corporate Policy Group recommends it and the elected council approves it;

2. where a petition is signed by more than 15% of the electorate and the chief executive certifies it; or

3. where the Minister directs it.

A plebiscite must then be held within 12 months. Where the outcome of a plebiscite is in favour of a directly elected mayor, the 2024 Act requires that the Minister submits a report to the Oireachtas within two years, containing proposals for legislative measures to provide for a directly elected Mayor of that administrative area.

These legislative provisions have been commenced, and supporting regulations for holding plebiscites are being developed.

To date, no proposals have been made in any of the ways provided for in respect of Cork City Council.