Celebrity Status For Dublin Mayor?

A leading Irish TD, John Gormely, has refused to be drawn on the possibility of celebrity candidates running for election for mayor of Dublin.

Mr Gormley said: "In a democratic society anyone should be eligible to run as mayor. I’m not concerned about celebrity candidates because previous elections have shown that such candidates don’t necessarily fare well."

However, with the past success of Derry singer, Dana, who was a close runner for Irish President, there is concern Mr Gormely’s backing for the proposals to elect a mayor for the capital might leave the door open for campaigns by lead singers of world famous Irish rock bands, controversially ordained pop solo artists or even avian television presenters-turned Eurovision contestants.

Mr Gormley was speaking at the launch of the Stronger Local Democracy – Options for Change paper at Government Buildings on Tuesday, when he said that a mayor acting on behalf of the people of Dublin would make a "huge difference" to the city's future.

A government green paper has already been published on local government reform, which includes plans for a Mayor of Dublin by 2011.

The paper said that a mayor would have a wide portfolio of responsibilities including planning, housing, waste, water provision and wastewater disposal, and also act as a chairperson of the newly proposed Dublin Transport Authority.

Limerick, Waterford and Sligo are also included in the plans to receive their own mayors, who would be directly elected in much the same way as the London mayor.

The London elections are presently highlighting a bitter rivalry between the conservative eccentric Boris Johnson, and controversial left wing candidate, Ken Livingston.

(DW)(BMcC)