From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Ministers Murphy and Phelan announce further details of the plebiscites that will take place in Cork City, Limerick and Waterford on the issue of a Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions, at the same time as the European and local elections in May.
At its meeting on Wednesday 20th March, Government considered detailed policy proposals for the office of directly elected mayors with executive functions, that will form the basis of the plebiscites.
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, TD and his colleague, the Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan, TD, on Wednesday 20th March secured Cabinet agreement on detailed policy proposals for the office of directly elected mayors with executive functions, that will form the basis of the plebiscites.
Speaking afterwards Minister Murphy said: “This is an important decision in local democracy. The electorate in Cork City, Limerick and Waterford will have their say in May on a directly elected mayor with executive functions. It is the people in these areas that will vote on whether they want the office of a directly elected mayor and we must ensure that the decision is well informed. Local government is critical to our quality of life and more than anything I sincerely hope that there is a large turnout at the local elections and plebiscites.”
The Government, on Wednesday 20th March 2019, agreed to the holding of plebiscites, in Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council areas on the issue of a directly elected mayor with executive functions.
The plebiscites will take place at the same time as the European and local elections in May and will operate in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 2019.
The Government also approved the translation and publication of detailed policy proposals, for the office of directly elected mayors with executive functions, that will form the basis of the plebiscites.
The Government agreed to the launching of a public information campaign by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in conjunction with Cork City, Limerick City, and Waterford City and County Councils. The campaign will be launched by the 12th of April.
This is a follow-up to the Government decision of the 27th of September last, to hold plebiscites on directly elected mayors, at the same time as the local elections in May.
Since that decision was made the Local Government Act 2019 was enacted in January 2019, providing for the holding of plebiscites in Cork City, Limerick City and County and Waterford City and County Councils.
Minister Phelan commented: “Voters in Cork City, Limerick and Waterford will have their say on a directly elected mayor with executive functions. It’s critically important now that the electorate understand what is proposed and turn out in big numbers to vote.”
Notes
What will be put to voters in the three areas?
The precise wording of the question to be on the plebiscite ballot paper will be agreed by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Office of the Attorney General.
What happens next?
The detailed policy proposals paper is now being readied for publication.
Information regarding the proposals is being prepared for dissemination to the electorate in the three local authority areas concerned and an impartial and fact-based public information campaign will follow.
Minister Murphy will make Regulations to enable the plebiscites to be held at the same time as the European and local elections in May.
The Local Government Act, 2019 provides that, where an electorate of a local authority backs the proposal, that the Minister submit, to each House of the Oireachtas, a report specifying legislative proposals providing for a directly elected mayor in that area, within 2 years.
Ultimately, if the people in Cork City, Limerick and/or Waterford vote in favour of the proposal implementation is anticipated to require amendments to a range of legislation, across a number of areas.
What are the functions proposed for the office of a directly elected mayor?
The detail is contained in the policy paper which will be published in the coming days.
However, in outline terms, it is proposed that a directly elected mayor with executive functions would:
What are the functions proposed not to transfer to the office of a directly elected mayor?
It is proposed that certain executive functions would remain with the chief executive, such as:
What would the proposed functions of the Council be?
The elected council would: