Publication
Whose City? Local Election Manifesto 2019
Online version
A programme for Dublin
This 2019 local election manifesto argues for direct public provision of local services and stronger democratic control of Dublin's councils. It links low pay, insecure work, housing costs, childcare, transport and dumped waste to privatisation and underfunding. The statistics and proposals belong to the 2019 campaign.
Democratic local government
The manifesto proposes replacing unelected council chief executives with a cabinet system led by an elected mayor and vice-mayors who would be responsible to councillors and voters. It calls for more powers over childcare, transport and education to sit at local level.
It also proposes elected neighbourhood councils for areas of about 10,000 people, alongside a Dublin regional authority covering a coherent economic and commuting area. A public accounts committee in each local authority would scrutinise spending.
Public housing and renters
Public land would be retained for mixed-income public housing. A state housing corporation would fund and build homes, with rents linked to income under the Solidarity Housing model. New developments would include green space, amenities and infrastructure.
For private renters, the manifesto proposes tenancies of indefinite duration, stronger anti-eviction rules, rent controls, neighbourhood rental tribunals, a tenancy protection fund and a deposit-protection scheme. It also calls for restrictions on short-term letting of homes other than an owner's principal residence.
Waste and childcare
The waste policy rejects competing private household collectors. It proposes one publicly owned collection service, free at the point of collection, with free collection of recyclable material. A public recycling industry would provide much of the funding, and local authorities would regain responsibility for reducing waste and enforcing standards.
Childcare and preschool are treated as part of the education system. The manifesto calls for services that are universal and free at the point of use. Central government would plan and fund the system, while local government and local education and childcare bodies would organise delivery. It also calls for secure, properly paid work for childcare staff.
Transport
The transport programme prioritises walking, cycling and public transport. It supports rapid bus or light-rail corridors, publicly operated orbital routes, integrated ticketing and greater service frequency.
Road space would be reallocated through measures including a public-transport lane on the M50, segregated cycle lanes, removal of some city-centre parking and a gradually introduced central car-free area with mobility exemptions. The manifesto also proposes an urban congestion charge.
Funding local services
The document supports a central-government block grant distributed by population and need. It proposes ring-fencing revenue from taxes linked to local impacts, including betting, alcohol, tobacco, emissions and plastic bags.
Additional local revenue would be raised progressively from large corporations, developers and landlords. The manifesto also suggests that councils earn revenue by directly providing services such as waste collection, landscaping, construction, energy training, recruitment, and health and safety support.
Intended outcome
Across each topic, the document favours accountable public bodies over outsourced services. Its stated aim is a city where housing, care, transport and environmental services are planned around public need and where elected representatives can be held responsible for delivery.
Download the publication
The PDF is 18 pages and 1.50 MB.