The Dublin Citizen's Assembly has conducted its first official in-person meeting today.
67 randomly selected citizens and 12 elected councillors gathered to discuss the prospect of a Directly Elected Mayor for Dublin.
Former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin served as chairman.
Irish author Roddy Doyle was amongst those to address The Assembly.
A privilege to listen to Roddy Doyle telling the citizens that Dublin is not a city, it’s a ‘sound’ #CADubMayor pic.twitter.com/nDFbow14vD
— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 30, 2022
He spoke fondly of his native city but also addressed some of his concerns:
"Rents are impossible, buying is more than impossible. We've been through a rough, rough time and we seem to be heading into a different, even rougher time. Dublin people can't afford to live in Dublin. People are afraid to breathe, to exhale. Something else will be taken away. But the people of Dublin will always own their words, and Dublin will thrive. Because Dublin is the city that never shuts up".
The Assembly will meet again tomorrow to resume their discussions.
