Dublin is a “dysfunctional” city and needs a directly elected mayor to get things done, a Green Party councillor has said.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Hazel Chu said such a position could be used to “unify the city” and “challenge” local authority chief executives.

It comes as a pilot programme in Limerick will see the city choose its first-ever directly elected mayor with executive powers on June 7th.

'Dysfunctional'

Cllr Chu said Dublin should follow suit.

“Compared to other international capital cities, we are dysfunctional," she said.

“We only have 6,000 [local authority] employees whereas if you look at Helsinki - they have 38,000 employees.

“So many things are not done and so many people ask us why things are not done; things like flood defences, dog fouling, bus connects, road plans and road paving."

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu outside Dublin City Hall in July 2020. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

The former Lord Mayor of Dublin said councillors don’t have the required powers to make these changes.

“The power comes from national Government and we don’t have the funds or a political figure to unify the city and challenge the executive,” she said.

“There is one powerful figure and that is the chief executive in each of the local authorities and that person is not currently challenging central government, they’re not in a position to do that.

“Even simple things like hiring more staff have to go through central government.”

'Eroded powers'

Cllr Chu said a Citizens' Assembly in Dublin last year recommended a directly elected mayor to tackle the city's woes.

“Central government does not want to give local government the power and has eroded its powers for decades since,” she said.

“It’s time to give power back to local municipal democracy which is what the people agreed with.”

Dublin City Hall. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy

Former Fianna Fáil strategist and Government advisor Derek Mooney said a directly elected mayor is not the solution people think it is.

“Having one big voice and authority standing up to Government won’t work,” he said.

“Eventually what will happen is a political gridlock where the mayor stands up to Government and has rows over every issue - you wouldn’t get the decision making you need.”

'Devolve powers'

Mr Mooney said the Government does need to “devolve powers” in local government.

“The problem is we’re chasing a solution that is an illusion,” he said.

“Central Government isn’t going to devolve powers down to a mayor, all the new Limerick mayor is doing is sharing powers with the chief executive.

“We do need a proper system, but this is not it.”

Some 13 candidates from across the political divide have declared their intention to run as Limerick's first directly elected mayor on June 7th.

Main image: An aerial view of Dublin city. Image: Lensmen Photographic Agency / Alamy Stock Photo