Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council (Irish: Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath) is the local authority of the city of Dublin in Ireland. As a city council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. Until 2001, the authority was known as Dublin Corporation. The council is responsible for public housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture and environment. The council has 63 elected members and is the largest local council in Ireland. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the honorific title of Lord Mayor. The city administration is headed by a Chief Executive, Richard Shakespeare. The council meets at City 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 | 24 May 2019 |
| Motto | |
| Latin: Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas "The Obedience of the citizens produces a happy city" | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| City Hall, Dublin | |
| Website | |
| dublincity | |
Legal status
Local government in Dublin is regulated by the Local Government Act 2001. This provided for the renaming of the old Dublin Corporation to its present title of Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council sends seven representatives to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, one of three such Assemblies in the state.[4]
Dublin City is bordered by the counties of Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. These four local government areas comprise the traditional County Dublin. In 2013, all of Dublin's councils, except Fingal, supported the introduction of an executive mayor the Dublin Metropolitan Area, and a Citizen's Assembly has been planned in order to establish what a combined Dublin Mayorship would look like.
Statutory functions
The 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
2023 (draft)
The 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
Prior to 1841, the administrative and governmental system of Dublin, known as Dublin Corporation, was bicameral having an assembly of called the "House of Aldermen" and another called the "House of Sheriffs and Commons". Under the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840, they were replaced by a unicameral assembly. The name Dublin City Council was adopted for the unicameral assembly. The Lord Mayor of Dublin presided over the assembly. This office had existed since 1665. The first City Council was elected in October 1841 when Daniel O'Connell became 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
Executive power is shared between the council and an appointed executive official known as the Chief 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 on Wood Quay. The Lord Mayor of Dublin acts 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 in plenary session on the first Monday of every month in Dublin City Hall. One of the council's most important roles is that of passing an annual budget. 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
Members of Dublin City Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote from multi-member local electoral areas.
| Election | FF | GP | FG | SF | Lab | SD | PBP | AAA | I4C | UL | PDs | WP | Ind | Total | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 9 | 63 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 8 | — | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 0 | 12 | 63 | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 7 | 19 | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 6 | 52 | |||||||||||||
| 2004 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 16 | — | — | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||||||
| 1999 | 20 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||||||
| 1991 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 52 | |||||||||||||
| 1985 | 26 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 52 | |||||||||||||
Local electoral areas
Dublin City is divided into the following local electoral areas, defined by electoral divisions.[7]
| 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
2019 seats summary
| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 11 | |
| Green | 10 | |
| Fine Gael | 9 | |
| Sinn Féin | 8 | |
| Labour | 8 | |
| Social Democrats | 5 | |
| Solidarity–PBP | 2 | |
| Inds. 4 Change | 1 | |
| Independent | 9[lower-alpha 1] | |
Councillors by electoral area
This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 24 May 2019.[8]
| Council members from 2019 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Artane–Whitehall | Patricia Roe | Social Democrats | |
| Larry O'Toole | Sinn Féin | ||
| Racheal Batten | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Alison Gilliland | Labour | ||
| Declan Flanagan | Fine Gael | ||
| John Lyons[lower-alpha 1] | Independent Left | ||
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Dathí Doolan | Sinn Féin | |
| Hazel de Nortúin[lower-alpha 2] | Solidarity–PBP | ||
| Vincent Jackson | Independent | ||
| Sophie Nicoullaud[lower-alpha 3] | Green | ||
| Daithí de Róiste | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Ballymun–Finglas | Paul McAuliffe[lower-alpha 4] | Fianna Fáil | |
| Noeleen Reilly | Independent | ||
| Keith Connolly | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Mary Callaghan | Social Democrats | ||
| Caroline Conroy | Green | ||
| Anthony Connaghan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Mary Fitzpatrick[lower-alpha 4] | Fianna Fáil | |
| Neasa Hourigan[lower-alpha 4] | Green | ||
| Gary Gannon[lower-alpha 4] | Social Democrats | ||
| Cieran Perry | Independent | ||
| Seamas McGrattan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Colm O'Rourke | Fine Gael | ||
| Marie Sherlock[lower-alpha 4] | Labour | ||
| Clontarf | Damian O'Farrell | Independent | |
| Donna Cooney | Green | ||
| Deirdre Heney | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Naoise Ó Muirí | Fine Gael | ||
| Jane Horgan-Jones | Labour | ||
| Catherine Stocker | Social Democrats | ||
| Donaghmede | Tom Brabazon | Fianna Fáil | |
| Daryl Barron | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Mícheál Mac Donncha | Sinn Féin | ||
| Terence Flanagan | Fine Gael | ||
| Lawrence Hemmings[lower-alpha 4] | Green | ||
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Patrick Costello[lower-alpha 4] | Green | |
| Mary Freehill[lower-alpha 4] | Labour | ||
| Pat Dunne | Inds. 4 Change | ||
| Anne Feeney | Fine Gael | ||
| Tara Deacy | Social Democrats | ||
| Deirdre Conroy | Fianna Fáil | ||
| North Inner City | Ciarán Cuffe[lower-alpha 4] | Green | |
| Christy Burke | Independent | ||
| Joe Costello[lower-alpha 4] | Labour | ||
| Ray McAdam | Fine Gael | ||
| Nial Ring | Independent | ||
| Janice Boylan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Anthony Flynn[lower-alpha 4] | Independent | ||
| Pembroke | Hazel Chu | Green | |
| James Geoghegan | Fine Gael | ||
| Dermot Lacey | Labour | ||
| Paddy McCartan | Fine Gael | ||
| Claire O'Connor | Fianna Fáil | ||
| South East Inner City | Claire Byrne | Green | |
| Chris Andrews[lower-alpha 4] | Sinn Féin | ||
| Danny Byrne | Fine Gael | ||
| Kevin Donoghue | Labour | ||
| Mannix Flynn | Independent | ||
| South West Inner City | Michael Pidgeon | Green | |
| Rebecca Moynihan[lower-alpha 4] | Labour | ||
| Tina MacVeigh[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 4] | Solidarity–PBP | ||
| Michael Watters | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Críona Ní Dhálaigh[lower-alpha 4] | Sinn Féin | ||
- Notes
- John Lyons is a member of the unregistered Independent Left party and therefore sits as an independent on the council, and appeared as so on the 2019 ballot paper.
- Solidarity–People Before Profit was renamed as People Before Profit–Solidarity in June 2021.
- Changed party, see table below for details.
- Replaced during term, see table below for details.
Co-options
| Party | Outgoing | Electoral area | Reason | Date | Co-optee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Ciarán Cuffe | North Inner City | Elected to the European Parliament in May 2019 | September 2019 | Janet Horner | |
| Sinn Féin | Chris Andrews | South East Inner City | Elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Daniel Ceitinn | |
| Green | Patrick Costello | Kimmage–Rathmines | Elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Carolyn Moore | |
| Green | Neasa Hourigan | Cabra–Glasnevin | Elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Darcy Lonergan | |
| Social Democrats | Gary Gannon | Cabra–Glasnevin | Elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Cat O'Driscoll | |
| Fianna Fáil | Paul McAuliffe | Ballymun–Finglas | Elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Briege MacOscar | |
| Labour | Rebecca Moynihan | South West Inner City | Elected to Seanad Éireann at the 2020 Seanad election | June 2020 | Darragh Moriarty | |
| Labour | Marie Sherlock | Cabra–Glasnevin | Elected to Seanad Éireann at the 2020 Seanad election | June 2020 | Declan Meenagh | |
| Fianna Fáil | Mary Fitzpatrick | Cabra–Glasnevin | Nominated by the Taoiseach to Seanad Éireann | June 2020 | Eimer McCormack | |
| Green | Lawrence Hemmings | Donaghmede | Resignation | June 2020 | Dearbháil Butler | |
| Sinn Féin | Críona Ní Dhálaigh | South West Inner City | Resignation | September 2020 | Máire Devine | |
| Independent | Anthony Flynn | North Inner City | Death | August 2021 | TBA | |
| Solidarity–PBP | Tina MacVeigh | South West Inner City | Temporary leave of absence | May 2022 | Kelsey May Daly | |
| Labour | Mary Freehill | Kimmage–Rathmines | Temporary leave of absence | May 2023 | Fiona Connelly | |
| Labour | Joe Costello | North Inner City | Resignation | July 2023 | Deborah Byrne | |
Changes in affiliation
| Name | Electoral area | Elected as | New affiliation | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Nicoullaud | Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Green | Independent | January 2021 | ||
| Sophie Nicoullaud | Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Independent | Right to Change | 2022 | ||
| Pat Dunne | Kimmage–Rathmines | Inds. 4 Change | Right to Change | 2022 | ||
Council buildings
Executive and administrative offices.
The Lord Mayor's official residence is the Mansion House, which first became the residence of the Lord Mayor in 1715.
Council meetings take place in the headquarters at Dublin City Hall. Formerly Royal 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 of Thomas Cooley. In an architectural competition, James Gandon was the runner-up with a scheme that many people favoured. The building was taken over for city government use in the 1850s.
References
- "Daithí de Róiste elected new Lord Mayor of Dublin". RTÉ News. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- "Chief Executive". Dublin City Council. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- Blaney, Amy (24 May 2023). "Dublin City Council confirms date for Owen Keegan to retire as CEO". Irish Independent.
- Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 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 the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 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 the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 February 2019.
- "Previous Election results". Dublin City Council. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
External links
