- Mayor Must Have Greater Budgetary Control and Overall Responsibility for the Running of Dublin -

5 July - The expected publication of the Mayor for Dublin legislation this week, if published in isolation of other Government proposals on local government, could lead to the bill's demise, according to Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Dublin Chamber believes that this legislation will make huge improvements to Dublin's local government, but by failing to address issues of local government reform and efficiency it could fall at the first political hurdle. 

The current powers proposed for the Mayor are too reliant on consultation and diplomacy. The Mayor must be provided with the authority to direct the decision making of the four local authorities, exercise control over a budget of €3 billion and take overall responsibility for the running of Dublin.

"The Heads of the Bill indicate quite significant strategic powers in the areas of transport, waste and water management," said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive. "However, it is weak on budgetary control and promoting a more efficient local government in Dublin. We are concerned that if not supported by serious reforms within the White Paper on Local Government and the report of the Local Government Efficiency Review group there is a distinct possibility that the current Heads of Bill will result in an additional layer of bureaucracy."

"It appears that the Mayor will have a huge electoral mandate and yet little powers of coordination amongst the four Dublin local authorities. He or she will not have direct operational responsibility for service delivery, driving operational efficiencies or budgetary control. We are hoping the White Paper and the Local Authority Efficiency report will support and strengthen the Mayor's hand. But if this is the case then the Minister must publish them with the Mayoral legislation."

The legislation for the Mayor for Dublin has been promised by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government before the Dáil summer recess, which is 8 July. The Dublin Chamber has today released the submission it made to the Minister on the Heads of the Bill.

The submission includes a number of recommendations to change the role of the Mayor from largely consultative to one with real executive powers, which is able to direct the planning and expenditure of the four local authorities.

"Dublin needs a Mayor with the powers to promote greater operational efficiency in the running of the city region. A Mayor with the appropriate budget and operational responsibility would eliminate the requirement for 4 local authorities to 1. However, the proposed powers for the Mayoral office fall short of the type of powers seen in London and elsewhere. For example, in New York the Mayor has power of veto in respect of legislation and large budgets. The real test is if the legislation is effective in attracting the right type of electoral candidates."