“As we approach the publication of the proposed White Paper on Local Government there is an emerging recognition that our current system requires renewal and reform.

While the detail of any reform is extensive, the essentials are not. If it is to be in any way meaningful reform must include:

• An Independent source of funding for Local Authorities and not subject to the whims of the Department of the Environment.

• Reform of the City and County Managers Act creating a new post of Chief Executive Officer – accountable to the relevant Local Authority and recruited by the Public Appointments Commission.

• A directly elected Mayor of Dublin with a five year term and accountable to an enhanced Dublin Regional Authority. In that context I believe that it is wrong to advance the case of a directly elected Lord Mayor solely for the City. It is the Dublin region that needs such political leadership.

• Extending the role of the Dublin Regional Authority to include Transport and Planning and subsuming bodies such as the Dublin Transport Authority and the Affordable Housing Partnership.

• Real controls and limitations on electoral spending at local elections and an ethical framework that is robust and just.

Local Government is best placed to deliver real reform if let. It is time to stand up for better Local Government and long past time to “Stand up for Dublin.”

The next City Council meeting takes place on September 7th followed by the Area Committee on September 14th.

I have tabled a number of questions relating to the financial situation facing the Council and a suggestion that the Council would initiate an “Ideas for Dublin” Competition and Website.

On Friday last I participated on “Today with Pat Kenny” on the issue of Local Government reform along with Cllr George Jones of Fine Gael. I think it went well and Pat gave us both a fair innings.

It never rains but it pours and on Monday night I was on Newstalk 106 with Eoin O’Broin of Sinn Fein and Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party to debate the Future of the Left. This was followed the next day as I was on the morning show on 4FM (7.40am to be precise) to talk about the case for a directly elected Mayor for Dublin. Today I open up Southside to find a nice piece on the campaign to Save the Poolbeg Chimneys and arrive home to receive in the post the Aontas magazine featuring “a day in the life of – A Councillor” containing an article I had written a few months ago.

Next few weeks will see us out campaigning on Lisbon 2 and hopefully for the sake of the country there will be a resounding YES.