The capital's first directly elected lord mayor should be given sufficient authority to direct the decision making of the four local authorities, Dublin Chamber said today.
The organisation, which has over 1,300 member companies, said the current powers proposed for the mayor "are too reliant on consultation and diplomacy".
Dublin Chamber has called for the mayor to be granted full power to exercise control over the capital's budget and to take overall responsibility for the running of the city.
The legislation for the Mayor for Dublin has been promised by the Minister for the Environment John Gormley before the Dáil rises this week for the summer recess.
Mr Gormley has said the mayor will have genuine powers that include the authority to direct councils and their officials to implement policy in relation to waste, planning, water.
In its submission ahead of the expected publication of the legislation, Dublin Chamber said any Bill introduced must address issues of local government reform and efficiency if it is to succeed. It said that while it appears the mayor will have a huge electoral mandate, he or she will have little in the way of direct operational responsibility for service delivery, driving efficiencies or budgetary control.
“The heads of the Bill indicate quite significant strategic powers in the areas of transport, waste and water management,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive. “However, it is weak on budgetary control and promoting a more efficient local government in Dublin.
"We are concerned that if not supported by serious reforms within the White Paper on Local Government and the report of the Local Government Efficiency Review group, there is a distinct possibility that the current Heads of Bill will result in an additional layer of bureaucracy.”
The organisation's submission includes a number of recommendations to change the role of the mayor from a largely consultative to one with “real executive powers”, which is able to direct the planning and expenditure of the four local authorities.
“Dublin needs a mayor with the powers to promote greater operational efficiency in the running of the city region. A mayor with the appropriate budget and operational responsibility would eliminate the requirement for four local authorities to one," said Ms Quin.
