The people of Cork will have their say on a directly elected mayor – Buttimer

The people of Cork are to have their say on the possible introduction of a directly elected mayor for the city, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Cork based Leader of Seanad Éireann, Jerry Buttimer, welcomed the news that Cork is one of the cities to vote on the proposal next year.

“The people of Cork will get to vote on this important question of a directly elected mayor at the same time as the Local Government Elections in May 2019.

“Two main options have been outlined for the enhancement of the role of local authority mayors.

“We could have directly elected mayors, without additional functions but based on the current role performed by Cathaoirligh/Mayors/Lord Mayors of local authorities.

“Alternatively we could have executive mayors, whose functions would include both existing Cathaoirleach/Mayor functions and executive functions currently residing with the chief executives of local authorities, and who could be either elected directly by the electorate or indirectly from among the elected members of the Council.

“It has been agreed that the decision to establish the role of a directly elected executive mayor could rest with the electorate of the local authority through a plebiscite in each area.

“A directly elected mayor would be of huge benefit to the development of Cork. We are growing the city through the amalgamation of areas, thus expanding the city boundaries, and we are creating clear, new lines to allow a city of scale to be created.

“What that now requires is a directly-elected mayor who would work in tandem with what the Government is working to do under Project Ireland 2040, our roadmap to develop parts of the city that are now used for warehousing, industry and the Port of Cork. The idea is to develop a new Cork, one that can be competitive on the international and world stage.

“While the Government is to work through the details of the plebiscites and the questions to be put to the electorate over the coming months, it is very positive to hear that the people of Cork could get a say on this as soon as next May.”