DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR FOR DUBLIN

We have been around the block a few times with the issue of introducing directly elected mayors into the Irish system of local government, starting with Dublin. The 2001 Local Government Act stated that direct mayoral elections would start in 2004. However, the Government did a u-turn on the issue and reversed the decision via legislation in 2003. In 2008, the Green Paper on local government reform again floated the idea of directly elected mayors but the Green Paper never saw the legislative light of day. Now we are here again courtesy of the Local Government Reform Act of 2014.

 

I have always had reservations about directly elected mayors but I am not necessarily against the idea. The current controversy about the four Dublin local authorities having to endorse the proposal to allow Dubliners to vote on whether the capital should have a directly elected mayor is an unfortunate one. A significant obstacle has been put in the way and, if the Minister had the power of his convictions, I think he would have gone directly to the people rather than creating an obstacle. The indications are that Fingal County Council could block the initiative at its meeting on 31 March. In a way this would be a pity as I think if the matter was put into the hands of the citizens then we might finally have a proper debate on the issue.

 

For example we might usefully look to the UK where some cities have moved away from the mayoral model back to the traditional council-CEO model. Renewal of interest in local government was one of the main motivations for the introduction of directly elected mayors in the UK. However, evidence to date shows that public interest and involvement have not increased. Ultimately it all comes down to what powers a directly elected mayor of Dublin would have. Directly elected mayors with strong powers (especially the 'strong' variation in America) can make quicker decisions and cut through much of the traditional internal local government democracy.

 

Overall, this is a complex issue and it warrants proper discussion and debate. Below is the conclusion I wrote to a journal article in 2008. I feel the points contained in it remain relevant.

 

Conclusion

(from my 2008 article, 'Reconsidering Directly Elected Mayors in Ireland: Experiences from the United Kingdom and America', Local Government Studies, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 609-623).

The direct election of a mayor for Dublin in 2011 is expected to herald the extension of the system shortly afterwards to the entire country. The one lesson Ireland can learn from the United Kingdom is that it is essential to create a clear, unambiguous mayoral model. The arrangements introduced in the UK offered too many options and, as previously mentioned, suffered from a ‘double handicap’ as the office of city/county manager did not previously exist. The main lesson to be learned from the United States is the importance of clarifying relationships. As a political figure with some executive powers the Irish mayor will have to work closely will both the legislature (council) and the executive (manager). The devil is in the detail and unless the Irish legislation clearly outlines the division of executive powers with the manager, there is a danger that the office of mayor will be an empty role.

 

The local government system in Ireland needs urgent reform and the introduction of directly elected mayors is only one element of that process. The starting point must be devolution of powers and financial autonomy from central government to local authorities. This would allow mayors and councillors to exercise their reserved policy powers and work in partnership with a professional manager. Whether the mayors in question are directly or indirectly elected is a secondary consideration.