Taoiseach Brian Cowen today said the election for Dublin’s first directly elected mayor would take place this year.
But it is understood a June date for the poll favoured by Minister for the Environment John Gormley could be pushed back to the autumn.
The heads of the Bill allowing for the political post were formally cleared by the Cabinet.
“The commitment in the Programme for Government is that it [the election] will take place this year, and we intend honouring that commitment,” the Taoiseach told the Dáil.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been tipped as a potential contender as have former Fianna Fail lord mayor Eibhlin Byrne and the party’s group leader on the city council, Mary Fitzpatrick.
The new mayor will have similar powers to the London mayor and will have responsibility for transport, planning and waste policy in the city.
PA