NEW POLL FINDS DUBS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT DIRECTLY ELECTLY MAYOR

A new survey has found that 74 per cent of Dubliners polled would favour a directly elected mayor of the city, if a referendum was held.

More than 500 people living across Dublin, and aged 18 and over, were interviewed by polling company Ireland Thinks in September.

The research found that support for a directly elected mayor was highest among women and younger people aged 18- 24.

Labour’s Spokesperson on Dublin, Senator Kevin Humphreys, who commissioned the poll, welcomed the findings.

“We’ll now be seeking all party support for a directly elected mayor of Dublin. There has been many false dawns on this, but there’s now an opportunity to drive forward with the election of a mayor for the Dublin region. This would not only be good for building strong communities but also investment in the city and county.

3 out of 4 voters would support having a directly elected voice for Dublin so it’s time we made this happen.”

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, will hold a consultation meeting with public representatives on a directly elected mayor at the end of the month.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Ireland Thinks interviewed a random sample of 541 adults across Dublin aged 18+ by telephone between the 26th and 30th of September 2016. A random digit dial (RDD) method was used to sample telephone numbers this was to ensure a random selection of respondents were contacted. 80% of the sample was interviewed via their a mobile phone sample with the remainder drawn from a sample of landlines.

Voters were asked: ‘If a referendum were held on whether Dublin should have a directly elected Mayor, would you be in favour, or not in favour?”. Sample size 541, Dublin only.

74.1% of voters were in favour, 25.9% against.

For more information contact Senator Kevin Humphreys 087 2989 103