A Directly Elected

MAYOR

Dublin
On-Street Conversations Report
Compiled by The Studio

for

The Studio

Contents Introduction Methodology Profile of Respondents The Conversations Summary Appendix 4 5 6 7 14 15

Directly Elected Mayor Consultation

Introduction
The Studio, Dublin City Councils innovation unit carried out onstreet conversations to get the views of Dubliners on the proposal for a directly elected mayor. This work was carried out on behalf of a group examining the issue of a directly elected mayor for Dublin. This group includes elected representatives from all four local authorities, including the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Cathaoirligh of Fingal, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils. The team of seven from the Studio spoke to 174 people between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, 10th October 2013 across 6 locations in Dublin City Centre. The locations were Grafton Street, Coppinger Row, OConnell Street, North Earl Street, Aungier Street and Camden Street.

Photo courtesy of Jason Clarke

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Methodology
Benefits of the process The on-street conversation process has many benefits including the following: It engages with a large number of people in a short time frame It encourages local authorities to listen in a new way It is informal and low cost It is inclusive of age, background, and ethnicity and ability; it gives a voice to people who normally may not get a chance to have their opinion heard It is open, honest and flexible Some people allow us to photograph them with their statement. An image speaks volumes In order to facilitate our conversations the questions were designed to be as open as possible to encourage people to give us their views. The team initiated the conversation and then listened while taking note of what people were saying, using the words of the respondents, not interpreting them. This allows people to speak uninterrupted and share their views. People were selected at random and asked four questions in relation to the issue of a directly elected mayor. The purpose of the conversation was to allow people to express their views on the benefits of an elected mayor including potential role and functions of the office and outline any concerns they might have. Finally a closed question with 3 choices was posed to gauge if there was public support for a directly elected mayor. The questions asked were: 1. 2. 3. 4. If I say City Mayor what springs to mind? How would Dublin benefit from a directly elected mayor? Would anything concern you about a directly elected mayor for Dublin? If you were casting your vote today would you vote: Yes No Dont know

At the end of each conversation we asked people to fill out an A3 sheet with the question I want Dublins Mayor to be . If people permitted we took a photograph of them with their answers. Some of the images are included throughout this report along with quotes from the respondents highlighted in blue.

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Profile of Respondents
Of the 174 people interviewed 75 were women and 99 were men. The age category of the people spoken to is below
Age Category 15 18-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 65+ Number of People 1 16 26 31 31 40 21

Note: 8 people did not give their age.

Respondents Council Area

Dublin City Fingal South Dublin Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

12

116 11 14

Other: 19 Not specified: 2

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The Conversations
I don't know what the mayor does The chain, not sure how existing mayor, cathaoirligh get elected An unnecessary role and a waste at present
Below is a summary of the issues raised under each question. 1. If I say City Mayor what springs to mind? Some people automatically thought of cities where there was a directly elected mayor e.g. New York, London, Chicago. Others thought more locally and referred to the Mansion House and 2 people mentioned the current Lord Mayor, Oisin Quinn, whereas some people struggled to think of something due to a lack of awareness and lack of understanding of the role. For some, the question prompted a negative response about the system in general and a frustration with politics, an unnecessary role and a waste at present.

Title rather than job The guy in charge with a hat and a suit. Fat controller from Thomas the Tank Engine

Directly Elected Mayor Consultation

2. How would Dublin benefit from a directly elected mayor? Some people struggled with this question as they were uncertain of the current function and role of the Lord Mayor. Generally, people were in favour of a directly elected mayor for Dublin as they thought it would raise the profile of the office of Mayor, highlighting what a mayor does and generally explain to people the issues affecting the region. A directly elected mayor could provide a unified voice and vision for Dublin. It could bring us back from the division of suburban vs urban. It could create one vision and one clear voice for Dublin People were positive about a directly elected mayor because they felt he would be more representative of the people. People expressed the desire for a directly elected mayor with qualities such as integrity and honesty. When people were asked about the type of functions they ranged from very local issues e.g. noise pollution, potholes, paving and parking to broader issues such as drugs, homelessness, crime, public transport, traffic, tourism and economic development. Many felt that it should be a more active role, with clear responsibilities, powers and accountability It should be a role about doing. Only 3 people thought it should remain a ceremonial role.

A good mayor would speak for the City, be articulate and really represent Dublin. Brian O'Driscoll would make great mayor Get people involved and discussing and debating Dublin issues. It will give people a voice A good idea for Dublin. A Dublin person will know what is needed and can speak up for Dublin Wouldnt benefit. Councillors doing nothing, wasting time and money. Wood Quay is a disaster. DCC should be reformed

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Someone non-corrupt who has a say in almost everything that happens in the city

The benefit would be if they put the interests of City first and not political party. The Mayor of London has really achieved things for that City Don't know another layer, disillusioned with politics, major campaign required It wouldn't. Jobs for the boys

Directly Elected Mayor Consultation

3. Would anything concern you about a directly elected mayor for Dublin? The main concerns expressed were that the role could potentially just be another layer, too political and lack accountability. People also highlighted the need for a good calibre candidate as the success of a directly elected mayor was dependent not only on the range of powers of the mayor but the integrity and ability of the individual holding the office. There was a fear that it could potentially be a lot of power in the hands of one person. Alongside the development of the office of a directly elected mayor is the need for a complete reform of the local government system.

There is a danger Ireland becomes centralised, that everything becomes Dublin focused with the result that focus is pulled away from the whole of Ireland. It happened in the UK Approximately half the population are living in Dublin - a lot of power in the hands of one person thats not necessarily a negative, need greater devolution to local government - the city needs a vision

My concern would be that it would be an add-on the system and the system wouldnt be reformed

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If the person is good, Id have no concerns. I dont know the name of any Lord Mayor of Dublin in the past 20 years. They just have free drink in the Mansion House and entertain their friends Important that it doesnt add to cost and not duplicate role of presidents or any other official positions. There would have to be genuine option for non party politicians to run We don't need one - Dublin is a village not a city. Cost is too much. Don't want to encourage a political ego

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5. If you were casting your vote today would you vote: Yes No Dont know

150

126 120

90

60

30 15

28

4 0 Yes No Dont know No comment

1 Wouldnt vote

Photo courtesy of Jason Clarke

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Summary
There was a broad level of support for a directly elected mayor for Dublin. However, the team felt there was a significant amount of apathy or disinterest in the topic. Of the 174 people we spoke to there were only a small number of people who were familiar with and understood how the current system operates and these people tended to be in the older age categories or politically active. The majority felt disconnected from the system, as one interviewee said a directly elected should make more of a connection with people, beyond being a figurehead. At times people struggled to answer some of the questions, which is understandable given that there is, as yet, no detailed proposal outlining functions and structure of the office. It is clear that people need more information on local government, the role of mayor and the potential benefits of a directly elected mayor to become engaged and interested in the topic.

Acknowledgements
Street conversation team Deirdre Ni Raghallaigh Ruth Dowling Mary Mooney Zaira Rivera Fernandez Jeremy Wales Sven Anderson Report Design Luke Dolan (Studio intern)

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Appendix

Sample response sheets from the street conversations

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