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Guest Blog: Dermot Lacey on an elected Dublin Mayor.
Posted by Jason O on Dec 9, 2010 in Irish Politics
The Editorial in the Irish Independent (1st November) regarding the role of the Dublin Mayor raised a number of interesting and relevant issues. I have long championed the creation of such a post and like others am disappointed by the extent of the powers proposed. However I also share the view of the former Dublin City Manager, John Fitzgerald when he wrote last week of the need for “strong Local Government and Local leadership” (29th October). He is right. The truth is that if freed from the shackles of a disinterested Department of the Environment and a disconnected Department of Finance, Local Government could deliver far more than it is currently allowed. The people of Ireland deserve better.
He is also right that the introduction of directly elected Mayors, without fundamental reform is not the panacea. However it is an important and in my view necessary step forward. This is particularly true in the case of Dublin. Read more…