Dublin City Council(Irish:Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath) is thelocal authorityof the city ofDublininIreland.As acity council,it is governed by theLocal Government Act 2001.Until 2001, the authority was known asDublin Corporation.The council is responsible forpublic housingand community, roads and transportation,urban planningand development, amenity and culture andenvironment.The council has 63 elected members and is the largest local council in Ireland. Elections are held every five years and are bysingle transferable vote.The head of the council has the honorific title ofLord Mayor.The city administration is headed by achief executive,Richard Shakespeare. The council meets atCity Hall, Dublin.
Dublin City Council Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Chief Executive | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 63 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Motto | |
| Latin:Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas "The Obedience of the citizens produces a happy city" | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| City Hall, Dublin | |
| Website | |
| dublincity | |
Legal status
editLocal government in Dublin is regulated by the Local Government Act 2001. This provided for the renaming of the oldDublin Corporationto its present title of Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council sends seven representatives to theEastern and Midland Regional Assembly,one of three such Assemblies in the state.[4]
Dublin City is bordered by the counties ofFingal,South DublinandDún Laoghaire–Rathdown.These four local government areas comprise the traditionalCounty Dublin.In 2013, all of Dublin's councils, except Fingal, supported the introduction of anexecutive mayor the Dublin Metropolitan Area,and aCitizen's Assemblyhas been planned in order to establish what a combined Dublin Mayorship would look like.[citation needed]
Statutory functions
editThe functions of the City Council include:public housing,city library services,refuse services, drainage, driver and vehicle licensing, planning and roads. The Dublin City Council's Draft Budget for 2023 estimates a total revenue of €1.24 bn, which is an increase of €0.11bn from the previous year. The Housing and Building Division is the service with the largest spend, with an estimated operational expenditure of €550.5 m, almost €53 m more than in 2022. The estimated income for Housing and Building in 2023 is €457.5 m, up from €420.6m in 2022. The draft budget aims to maintain existing service levels at 2022 levels, with some modest increases in a small number of areas.
Budget
edit2023 (draft)
editThe estimated expenditure for 2023 is €1.24 bn, which is an increase of €0.11 bn over the 2022 Budget of €1.130 bn.[5]The expenditure is divided into several service divisions, including Housing & Building, Road Transport & Safety, Water Services, Development Management, Environmental Services, Culture, Recreation & Amenity, and Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare. The Housing and Building Division remains the service with the largest spend, with an estimated operational expenditure of €550.5m in 2023, almost €53m more than in 2022 (€497.4m). This increase relates to services that are largely government-funded, such as homeless services and RAS.
The estimated expenditure for each service division is:
- Housing and Building: €550,484,483
- Water Services: €68,093,780
- Development Management: €63,715,641
- Environmental Services: €247,419,867
- Culture, Recreation and Amenity: €122,254,773
- Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare: €2,746,874
Compared to the 2022 budget, the estimated expenditure for 2023 increased by €0.11 bn. This increase is largely due to the increased spending on Housing and Building services, which are largely Government funded. The estimated net expenditure for each service division in the Dublin City Council's Draft Budget for 2023 is listed above
The 2022 budget allocated €15.4 mn for energy-related expenses for Dublin City Council (DCC). DCC faces an additional €22.5 mn in costs over 2022 and 2023 due to energy and non-energy inflation. The government provides €5 mn for rising energy costs, and DCC bears the impact of broader inflation. Additionally, a public sector pay deal includes €9.9 mn and €25.9 mn in 2022 and 2023, respectively, to support the City Council as an employer.
History
edit
Prior to 1841, the administrative and governmental system of Dublin, known asDublin Corporation,wasbicameralhaving an assembly of called the "House of Aldermen" and another called the "House of Sheriffs and Commons". Under theMunicipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840,they were replaced by a unicameral assembly. The nameDublin City Councilwas adopted for the unicameral assembly. TheLord Mayor of Dublinpresided over the assembly. This office had existed since 1665. The first City Council was elected in October 1841 whenDaniel O'Connellbecame the first Lord Mayor. Since 1 January 2002, the functions of local government have been transferred to Dublin City Council.[6]To coincide with its name change, the city council adopted a new logo and brand identity, based on a simplified version of the ancient "three castles" symbol.
Structures
editExecutive power is shared between the council and an appointed executive official known as thechief executive.The chief executive is responsible for a staff of 6,200. The offices of the chief executive and other administrative staff are based in the Civic Offices onWood Quay.TheLord Mayor of Dublinacts as chair of the council is the ceremonial head of the city government.
Representative power is vested in the city assembly which has 63 members. The City Council meets inplenary sessionon the first Monday of every month inDublin City Hall.One of the council's most important roles is that of passing an annualbudget.Should any Irish council fail to pass a budget within the allotted time, the Minister for the Environment is empowered to abolish it and grant its powers to a commissioner until the next scheduled council elections.
Elections
editMembers of Dublin City Council are elected for a five-year term of office on theelectoral systemofproportional representationby means of thesingle transferable votefrom multi-memberlocal electoral areas.
| Year | FF | FG | GP | SF | Lab | SD | PBP–S | II | RTC | I4C | AAA | UL | PDs | WP | Ind | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 9 | 63 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 9 | 63 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 8 | — | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 12 | 63 | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 19 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | 6 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
| 2004 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
| 1991 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 26 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Local electoral areas
editDublin City is divided into LEAs, defined byelectoral divisions.[7]The electoral divisions were formerly known as wards and were defined in 1986, subject to revision in 1994 and in 1997.[8]
| LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Artane–Whitehall | Beaumont A, Beaumont B, Beaumont C, Harmonstown A, Kilmore A, Kilmore B, Kilmore C, Kilmore D, Priorswood A, Priorswood B, Priorswood C, Priorswood D, Priorswood E, Whitehall A, Whitehall B, Whitehall C and Whitehall D. | 6 |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Carna, Chapelizod, Cherry Orchard A, Cherry Orchard C, Crumlin A, Crumlin E, Crumlin F, Decies, Drumfinn, Inchicore A, Inchicore B, Kilmainham A, Kylemore, Walkinstown A, Walkinstown B and Walkinstown C. | 5 |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Ballygall A, Ballygall B, Ballygall C, Ballygall D, Ballymun A, Ballymun B, Ballymun C, Ballymun D, Ballymun E, Ballymun F, Finglas North A, Finglas North B, Finglas North C, Finglas South A, Finglas South B, Finglas South C and Finglas South D. | 6 |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Arran Quay A, Ashtown A, Ashtown B, Botanic A, Botanic B, Botanic C, Cabra East A, Cabra East B, Cabra East C, Cabra West A, Cabra West B, Cabra West C, Cabra West D, Drumcondra South C, Inns Quay A and Inns Quay B; and that part of the electoral division of Phoenix Park not contained in the local electoral area of South West Inner City. | 7 |
| Clontarf | Beaumont D, Beaumont E, Beaumont F, Clontarf East A, Clontarf East B, Clontarf East C, Clontarf East D, Clontarf East E, Clontarf West A, Clontarf West B, Clontarf West C, Clontarf West D, Clontarf West E, Drumcondra South A, Grace Park and Harmonstown B. | 6 |
| Donaghmede | Ayrfield, Edenmore, Grange A, Grange B, Grange C, Grange D, Grange E, Raheny-Foxfield, Raheny-Greendale and Raheny-St. Assam. | 5 |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Crumlin B, Crumlin C, Crumlin D, Kimmage A, Kimmage B, Kimmage C, Kimmage D, Kimmage E, Rathfarnham, Rathmines West A, Rathmines West C, Rathmines West D, Rathmines West E, Rathmines West F, Terenure A, Terenure B, Terenure C and Terenure D. | 6 |
| North Inner City | Arran Quay B, Arran Quay C, Arran Quay D, Arran Quay E, Ballybough A, Ballybough B, Drumcondra South B, Inns Quay C, Mountjoy A, Mountjoy B, North City, North Dock A, North Dock B, North Dock C, Rotunda A and Rotunda B. | 7 |
| Pembroke | Pembroke East B, Pembroke East C, Pembroke East D, Pembroke East E, Pembroke West B, Pembroke West C, Rathmines East A, Rathmines East B, Rathmines East C, Rathmines East D and Rathmines West B. | 5 |
| South East Inner City | Mansion House A, Mansion House B, Pembroke East A, Pembroke West A, Royal Exchange A, Royal Exchange B, St. Kevin's, South Dock, Wood Quay A and Wood Quay B. | 5 |
| South West Inner City | Kilmainham B, Kilmainham C, Merchants Quay A, Merchants Quay B, Merchants Quay C, Merchants Quay D, Merchants Quay E, Merchants Quay F, Ushers A, Ushers B, Ushers C, Ushers D, Ushers E and Ushers F; and that part of the electoral division of Phoenix Park situated south of a line drawn along Chapelizod Road, Conyngham Road and Parkgate Street. | 5 |
Current councillors
edit
Official residence of theLord Mayor of Dublin.
2024 seats summary
edit| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael | 11 | |
| Social Democrats | 10 | |
| Sinn Féin | 9 | |
| Fianna Fáil | 8 | |
| Green | 8 | |
| Labour | 4 | |
| PBP–Solidarity | 2 | |
| Independent Ireland | 1 | |
| Right to Change | 1 | |
| Independent | 9[a] | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[9]
| Council members from2024 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Artane–Whitehall | Racheal Batten | Fianna Fáil | |
| Edel Moran | Sinn Féin | ||
| John Lyons[a] | Independent Left | ||
| Declan Flanagan | Fine Gael | ||
| Jesslyn Henry | Social Democrats | ||
| Aisling Silke | Social Democrats | ||
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Daithí Doolan | Sinn Féin | |
| Vincent Jackson | Independent | ||
| Hazel de Nortúin | PBP–Solidarity | ||
| Ray Cunningham | Green | ||
| Philip Sutcliffe Snr | Independent Ireland | ||
| Ballymun–Finglas | Keith Connolly | Fianna Fáil | |
| Gavin Pepper | Independent | ||
| Anthony Connaghan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Conor Reddy | PBP–Solidarity | ||
| Mary Callaghan | Social Democrats | ||
| Leslie Kane | Sinn Féin | ||
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Cieran Perry | Independent | |
| Feljin Jose | Green | ||
| Colm O'Rourke | Fine Gael | ||
| Gayle Ralph | Fine Gael | ||
| Cat O'Driscoll | Social Democrats | ||
| John Stephens | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Séamas McGrattan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Clontarf | Naoise Ó Muirí | Fine Gael | |
| Deirdre Heney | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Barry Heneghan | Independent | ||
| Catherine Stocker | Social Democrats | ||
| Donna Cooney | Green | ||
| Alison Field | Labour | ||
| Donaghmede | Tom Brabazon | Fianna Fáil | |
| Daryl Barron | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Paddy Monahan | Social Democrats | ||
| Supriya Singh | Fine Gael | ||
| Mícheál Mac Donncha | Sinn Féin | ||
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Pat Dunne | Right to Change | |
| Carolyn Moore | Green | ||
| Punam Rane | Fine Gael | ||
| Fiona Connelly | Labour | ||
| Eoin Hayes | Social Democrats | ||
| Patrick Kinsella | Fine Gael | ||
| North Inner City | Ray McAdam | Fine Gael | |
| Janet Horner | Green | ||
| Christy Burke | Independent | ||
| Malachy Steenson | Independent | ||
| Nial Ring | Independent | ||
| Janice Boylan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Daniel Ennis | Social Democrats | ||
| Pembroke | James Geoghegan | Fine Gael | |
| Hazel Chu | Green | ||
| Dermot Lacey | Labour | ||
| Emma Blain | Fine Gael | ||
| Rory Hogan | Fianna Fáil | ||
| South East Inner City | Claire Byrne | Green | |
| Kourtney Kenny | Sinn Féin | ||
| Danny Byrne | Fine Gael | ||
| Cian Farrell | Social Democrats | ||
| Mannix Flynn | Independent | ||
| South West Inner City | Michael Pidgeon | Green | |
| Darragh Moriarty | Labour | ||
| Jen Cummins | Social Democrats | ||
| Ammar Ali | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Máire Devine | Sinn Féin | ||
- Notes
- ^abcJohn Lyons is a member of the unregisteredIndependent Leftparty and therefore sits as an independent on the council, and appeared as so on the 2024 ballot paper.
Council buildings
edit
Executive and administrative offices.
The Lord Mayor's official residence is theMansion House,which first became the residence of the Lord Mayor in 1715.
Council meetings take place in the headquarters atDublin City Hall.FormerlyRoyal Exchange,the City Hall is one of Dublin's finest buildings and located on Dame Street. It was built in 1769–79 to the winning design ofThomas Cooley.In an architectural competition,James Gandonwas the runner-up with a scheme that many people favoured. The building was taken over for city government use in the 1850s.
References
edit- ^"Chief Executive".Dublin City Council.Retrieved3 January2023.
- ^Blaney, Amy (24 May 2023)."Dublin City Council confirms date for Owen Keegan to retire as CEO".Irish Independent.
- ^"Fine Gael Councillor James Geoghegan elected as new Lord Mayor of Dublin".Fine Gael.21 June 2024.Retrieved21 June2024.
- ^Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Bookon 8 February 2022.
- ^Owen P. Keegan Chief Executive."Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath Dréachtbhuiséad 2023 Dublin City Council Draft Budget 2023"(PDF).
- ^Local Government Act 2001,s. 10: Local government areas (No. 37 of 2001, s. 10), "S. 10(2): The State continues to stand divided into local government areas to be known as counties and cities which are the areas set out in Parts 1 and 2, respectively, of Schedule 5.". Enacted on 21 July 2001. Act of theOireachtas.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Bookon 23 June 2021.
- ^City of Dublin Local Electoral Areas Order 2018 (S.I. No. 614 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Bookon 1 February 2019.
- ^County Borough of Dublin (Wards) Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 12 of 1986). Signed on 20 January 1986 byLiam Kavanagh,Minister for the Environment.Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Book.; County Borough of Dublin (Wards) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 109 of 1994). Signed on 20 January 1986 byMichael Smith,Minister for the Environment. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Book.; County Borough of Dublin (Wards) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 43 of 1997). Signed on 21 January 1997 byBrendan Howlin,Minister for the Environment. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland.Retrieved fromIrish Statute Book.
- ^"Dublin City Council – Elected Candidates".RTÉ News.Retrieved16 June2024.
External links
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