Green Party councillor Oisín O’Connor is calling for Dublin TDs to “step up to the mark” and give Dubliners the chance to have a “greater say” in how the city is run.
“The Government needs to put the question to a public vote,” he said.
“It should be up to the people of Dublin to decide if we want to have a more direct input on the future of our city by directly electing a Mayor of Dublin.
“Government ministers from across Ireland don’t trust us, Dubliners, to make decisions about our own city.
“They’re trying to distract us with sensationalist sound bites about how irresponsible Dublin voters could be if given the chance to directly elect a mayor with real powers and resources to improve our city.
“Are Dublin TDs of government parties going to stay quiet while their party leaders hold back our capital city for fear of a Dublin Mayor showing them up?” he added.
Cllr O’Connor referenced the Citizen’s Assembly, chaired by former Dublin GAA football manager Jim Gavin, which recommended a directly elected Lord Mayor who would be accountable, with mechanisms for removal if necessary.
“This is not just about the position of the Directly Elected Mayor for Dublin - this is about reforming local government across our capital city to bring decisions closer to the people,” Cllr O’Connor said.
“The Dublin Citizens Assembly published its report two and a half years ago, making 18 recommendations on how the government should roll out a Directly Elected Mayor and broader local government reform, giving more power to councillors and the new Mayor on housin...
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