Meeting on directly elected mayor to be held

Another public meeting will be held on Leeside this week about the upcoming plebiscite on a directly elected mayor. 

On 24 May, people living in Cork city, Limerick city and county, and Waterford city and county, will be asked if they approve of the Government’s proposal for a directly elected mayor/lord mayor with executive functions for their area. 

Polling will take place between 7am-10pm and under the proposals, a mayor/lord mayor would be elected for a five-year term for a maximum of two terms. 

At present, the lord mayor of Cork is a serving councillor elected for a one-year term by other councillors. 

Under the Government’s proposal, the directly elected mayor/lord mayor would assume some of the executive functions currently held by a council’s chief executive and the representational role currently held by the mayor/lord mayor. They would also have additional functions, not currently performed, such as preparing a five-year programme of office.

The committee overseeing the information campaign will hold the public meetings on the plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions this week in the three administrative areas in which plebiscites will be held.

Speaking ahead of the public meetings the committee’s chairperson, former Judge of the High Court, Henry Abbott, said: “Providing impartial, factual information to the public and others on the plebiscite is the committee’s objective. I see these public meetings as a key part of our work ahead of 24 May. 

“I would invite all who are available and interested to come along to the meeting in their council’s area, to learn more about the issues on which people will vote in less than two weeks.”

Cork city’s meeting will be held tomorrow, 14 May, in the Atrium, City Hall from 7.30-9.00pm.