Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001937/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Lynn Boylan (The Left)
According to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Ireland is one of the most centralised countries in Europe, with one of the lowest scores in the Local Autonomy Index. One way to improve this local democratic deficit is via a directly elected mayor, which several city councils in Ireland now have. However, the possibility of a directly elected mayor for Dublin has been delayed, perhaps indefinitely.
The Irish Government has decided to put off calling a plebiscite on whether Dublin should have an elected mayor. Without this plebiscite there can be no progress towards a mayoral election. Given the Commission’s priority focus on protecting democracy and championing civic participation, what steps has the Commission taken to engage with the Irish Government to encourage and assist progress towards the institution of direct elections for the mayor of Dublin?
Submitted: 14.5.2025