Reply - Q20 Dublin Mayor

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 11, 2010

QUESTION NO.20

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Manager to report on discussions with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding the proposed establishment of a directly-elected Dublin Mayor, to include details on any significant changes which will likely have to implemented by our council to facilitate the new Mayor’s office and regional structures, to advise on the costs of the new Mayor’s office and regional structures and to advise if our council will have to make any additional annual financial contribution to fund this?

REPLY:

Correspondence was received from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government attaching copy of the draft scheme of the Local Government (Dublin Mayor and Regional Authority) Bill 2010. (and subsequently issued Transport proposals). The letter stated that in view of the new institutional architecture for the governance of Dublin provided for in the General Scheme the Department wanted to engage with the Dublin Local Authorities and the Regional Authority in advance of the enactment of the Bill to ensure smooth implementation and assist in addressing any outstanding issues arising from the Bill. The Department asked each Authority to nominate a senior official from the Council to participate in an Implementation Group to assist in this process.

The group has met four times. The terms of reference of the Group are to:-

Advise the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the legislative provisions to give effect to the new institutional arrangements, within framework agreed by Government;

To advise, as and if necessary, on any matters in relation to the election of the Mayor;

Consider the practical arrangements necessary for establishing the new Office, including the provision of finance, staffing, accommodation and identify any other resources which may be required;

Consider the arrangements to give effect to the statutory powers contained in the Bill, and the necessary changes within the local authorities in Dublin, and the Dublin Regional Authority, to facilitate those changes;

Draw up an implementation plan to give effect to the above.

The participation of officials from a local authority in Dublin, or from the Dublin Regional Authority, is without prejudice to any views which a local authority or Regional Authority may have on any particular issue in relation to the proposed Mayor and Regional Authority for Dublin.

To date the group have commented on legislative and organisational anomolies within the draft, have submitted details of potential funding requirements of the office. This information has been passed to the those drafting the Bill. No further details are available as the publication of the legislation is awaited