Directly elected mayor: Here are the facts
All voters registered in the new Cork city boundary are eligible to vote in a plebiscite on whether or not to create the role of a directly elected mayor for Cork City Council.
Similar votes will also take place in Limerick and Waterford, which could see major changes in how local politics is run.
If elected, the directly elected mayor would take over a large amount of the executive functions currently carried out by the chief executive.
They would also prepare and oversee a five-year programme of office, as well as a corporate plan and annual service delivery plan, and be responsible for ensuring that the chief executive implements the council’s plans effectively.
The directly elected mayor would also draft and present policy to elected members of the council and represent the council nationally and internationally.
They would not have a role in certain executive functions currently exercised by the chief executive, such as individual allocation of social housing, approving individual planning applications, or granting licences or permits.
The Government has proposed a salary of just shy of €130,000 for a directly elected mayor, equivalent to that of a minister of state, as well as a vouched allowance and salaries for a programme officer, special advisor and a driver.
Potential advantages of a directly elected mayor include:
* Having a mayor elected directly by the people and democratically accountable to those people
* Increased awareness of possible policy options before they are adopted, and increase awareness of local government in general
Potential disadvantages of a directly elected mayor include:
* Possible increased costs for the council
* Increased power being given to a single elected individual and their office
All major parties are in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote, with An Tánaiste Simon Coveney saying the power of the role would benefit Cork, as the mayor would “have a mandate directly from the people to be able to effectively put a program of office in place over five years to deliver for the city”.
Solidarity are the sole party, along wth Workers Party candidate Ted Tynan in Cork, advocating for a ‘No’ vote. Local election candidate Fiona Ryan has called the move a “gimmick”, saying: “We need to restore power to elected councillors, reverse privatisations and give councils the funding they need.”
Full details are available at mayors.gov.ie.