Chamber says mayor needs authority

The capital’s first directly elected mayor should be given sufficient authority to direct the decision-making of the four local authorities, Dublin Chamber said yesterday. The group, which has over 1,300 member companies, said the powers proposed for the mayor “are too reliant on consultation and diplomacy”. It has called for the mayor to be granted full power to exercise control over the capital’s budget and to take overall responsibility for the running of the city. Minister for the Environment, John Gormley has promised legislation before the Dáil rises this week.