# Dublin City Council

Dublin City Council (Irish: Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath) is the local authority of the city of Dublin in Ireland. As a city council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. Until 2001, the authority was known as Dublin Corporation. The council is responsible for public housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture and environment. The council has 63 elected members and is the largest local council in Ireland. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the honorific title of Lord Mayor. The city administration is headed by a chief executive, Richard Shakespeare. The council meets at City Hall, Dublin.

## Legal status

Local government in Dublin is regulated by the Local Government Act 2001. This provided for the renaming of the old Dublin Corporation to its present title of Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council sends seven representatives to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, one of three such Assemblies in the state.
Dublin City is bordered by the counties of Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. These four local government areas comprise the traditional County Dublin. In 2013, all of Dublin's councils, except Fingal, supported the introduction of an executive mayor the Dublin Metropolitan Area, and a Citizen's Assembly has been planned in order to establish what a combined Dublin Mayorship would look like.

### Statutory functions

The functions of the City Council include: public housing, city library services, refuse services, drainage, driver and vehicle licensing, planning and roads. The Dublin City Council's Draft Budget for 2023 estimates a total revenue of €1.24 bn, which is an increase of €0.11bn from the previous year. The Housing and Building Division is the service with the largest spend, with an estimated operational expenditure of €550.5 m, almost €53 m more than in 2022. The estimated income for Housing and Building in 2023 is €457.5 m, up from €420.6m in 2022. The draft budget aims to maintain existing service levels at 2022 levels, with some modest increases in a small number of areas.

## Budget
### 2023 (draft)

The estimated expenditure for 2023 is €1.24 bn, which is an increase of €0.11 bn over the 2022 Budget of €1.130 bn. The expenditure is divided into several service divisions, including Housing & Building, Road Transport & Safety, Water Services, Development Management, Environmental Services, Culture, Recreation & Amenity, and Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare. The Housing and Building Division remains the service with the largest spend, with an estimated operational expenditure of €550.5m in 2023, almost €53m more than in 2022 (€497.4m). This increase relates to services that are largely government-funded, such as homeless services and RAS.
The estimated expenditure for each service division is:
* Housing and Building: €550,484,483
* Water Services: €68,093,780
* Development Management: €63,715,641
* Environmental Services: €247,419,867
* Culture, Recreation and Amenity: €122,254,773
* Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare: €2,746,874
Compared to the 2022 budget, the estimated expenditure for 2023 increased by €0.11 bn. This increase is largely due to the increased spending on Housing and Building services, which are largely Government funded. The estimated net expenditure for each service division in the Dublin City Council's Draft Budget for 2023 is listed above
The 2022 budget allocated €15.4 mn for energy-related expenses for Dublin City Council (DCC). DCC faces an additional €22.5 mn in costs over 2022 and 2023 due to energy and non-energy inflation. The government provides €5 mn for rising energy costs, and DCC bears the impact of broader inflation. Additionally, a public sector pay deal includes €9.9 mn and €25.9 mn in 2022 and 2023, respectively, to support the City Council as an employer.

## History

Prior to 1841, the administrative and governmental system of Dublin, known as Dublin Corporation, was bicameral having an assembly of called the "House of Aldermen" and another called the "House of Sheriffs and Commons". Under the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840, they were replaced by a unicameral assembly. The name Dublin City Council was adopted for the unicameral assembly. The Lord Mayor of Dublin presided over the assembly. This office had existed since 1665. The first City Council was elected in October 1841 when Daniel O'Connell became the first Lord Mayor. Since 1 January 2002, the functions of local government have been transferred to Dublin City Council. To coincide with its name change, the city council adopted a new logo and brand identity, based on a simplified version of the ancient "three castles" symbol.

## Structures

Executive power is shared between the council and an appointed executive official known as the chief executive. The chief executive is responsible for a staff of 6,200. The offices of the chief executive and other administrative staff are based in the Civic Offices on Wood Quay. The Lord Mayor of Dublin acts as chair of the council is the ceremonial head of the city government.
Representative power is vested in the city assembly which has 63 members. The City Council meets in plenary session on the first Monday of every month in Dublin City Hall. One of the council's most important roles is that of passing an annual budget. Should any Irish council fail to pass a budget within the allotted time, the Minister for the Environment is empowered to abolish it and grant its powers to a commissioner until the next scheduled council elections.

## Elections

Members of Dublin City Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote from multi-member local electoral areas.
| Year | | FF | | FG | | GP | | SF | | Lab | | SD | | PBP–S | | II | | RTC | | I4C | | AAA | | UL | | PDs | | WP | | Ind | Total |
| 2024 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 63 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 63 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 8 | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 63 |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 19 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 52 |
| 2004 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 52 |
| 1999 | 20 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 52 |
| 1991 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 52 |
| 1985 | 26 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 52 |

## Local electoral areas

Dublin City is divided into LEAs, defined by electoral divisions. The electoral divisions were formerly known as wards and were defined in 1986, subject to revision in 1994 and in 1997.
| LEA | Definition | Seats |
| Artane–Whitehall | Beaumont A, Beaumont B, Beaumont C, Harmonstown A, Kilmore A, Kilmore B, Kilmore C, Kilmore D, Priorswood A, Priorswood B, Priorswood C, Priorswood D, Priorswood E, Whitehall A, Whitehall B, Whitehall C and Whitehall D. | 6 |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Carna, Chapelizod, Cherry Orchard A, Cherry Orchard C, Crumlin A, Crumlin E, Crumlin F, Decies, Drumfinn, Inchicore A, Inchicore B, Kilmainham A, Kylemore, Walkinstown A, Walkinstown B and Walkinstown C. | 5 |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Ballygall A, Ballygall B, Ballygall C, Ballygall D, Ballymun A, Ballymun B, Ballymun C, Ballymun D, Ballymun E, Ballymun F, Finglas North A, Finglas North B, Finglas North C, Finglas South A, Finglas South B, Finglas South C and Finglas South D. | 6 |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Arran Quay A, Ashtown A, Ashtown B, Botanic A, Botanic B, Botanic C, Cabra East A, Cabra East B, Cabra East C, Cabra West A, Cabra West B, Cabra West C, Cabra West D, Drumcondra South C, Inns Quay A and Inns Quay B; and that part of the electoral division of Phoenix Park not contained in the local electoral area of South West Inner City. | 7 |
| Clontarf | Beaumont D, Beaumont E, Beaumont F, Clontarf East A, Clontarf East B, Clontarf East C, Clontarf East D, Clontarf East E, Clontarf West A, Clontarf West B, Clontarf West C, Clontarf West D, Clontarf West E, Drumcondra South A, Grace Park and Harmonstown B. | 6 |
| Donaghmede | Ayrfield, Edenmore, Grange A, Grange B, Grange C, Grange D, Grange E, Raheny-Foxfield, Raheny-Greendale and Raheny-St. Assam. | 5 |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Crumlin B, Crumlin C, Crumlin D, Kimmage A, Kimmage B, Kimmage C, Kimmage D, Kimmage E, Rathfarnham, Rathmines West A, Rathmines West C, Rathmines West D, Rathmines West E, Rathmines West F, Terenure A, Terenure B, Terenure C and Terenure D. | 6 |
| North Inner City | Arran Quay B, Arran Quay C, Arran Quay D, Arran Quay E, Ballybough A, Ballybough B, Drumcondra South B, Inns Quay C, Mountjoy A, Mountjoy B, North City, North Dock A, North Dock B, North Dock C, Rotunda A and Rotunda B. | 7 |
| Pembroke | Pembroke East B, Pembroke East C, Pembroke East D, Pembroke East E, Pembroke West B, Pembroke West C, Rathmines East A, Rathmines East B, Rathmines East C, Rathmines East D and Rathmines West B. | 5 |
| South East Inner City | Mansion House A, Mansion House B, Pembroke East A, Pembroke West A, Royal Exchange A, Royal Exchange B, St. Kevin's, South Dock, Wood Quay A and Wood Quay B. | 5 |
| South West Inner City | Kilmainham B, Kilmainham C, Merchants Quay A, Merchants Quay B, Merchants Quay C, Merchants Quay D, Merchants Quay E, Merchants Quay F, Ushers A, Ushers B, Ushers C, Ushers D, Ushers E and Ushers F; and that part of the electoral division of Phoenix Park situated south of a line drawn along Chapelizod Road, Conyngham Road and Parkgate Street. | 5 |

## Current councillors
### 2024 seats summary

| Party | Seats |
| Fine Gael | 11 |
| Social Democrats | 10 |
| Sinn Féin | 9 |
| Fianna Fáil | 8 |
| Green | 8 |
| Labour | 4 |
| PBP–Solidarity | 2 |
| Right to Change | 1 |
| Independent | 10 |

### Councillors by electoral area

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.
Council members from 2024 election :
| Local electoral area | Name | Party |
| Artane–Whitehall | Racheal Batten | Fianna Fáil |
| Artane–Whitehall | Edel Moran | Sinn Féin |
| Artane–Whitehall | John Lyons | Independent Left |
| Artane–Whitehall | Declan Flanagan | Fine Gael |
| Artane–Whitehall | Jesslyn Henry | Social Democrats |
| Artane–Whitehall | Aisling Silke | Social Democrats |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Daithí Doolan | Sinn Féin |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Vincent Jackson | Independent |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Hazel De Nortúin | PBP–Solidarity |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Ray Cunningham | Green |
| Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | Philip Sutcliffe Snr | Independent |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Keith Connolly | Fianna Fáil |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Gavin Pepper | Independent |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Anthony Connaghan | Sinn Féin |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Conor Reddy | PBP–Solidarity |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Mary Callaghan | Social Democrats |
| Ballymun–Finglas | Leslie Kane | Sinn Féin |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Cieran Perry | Independent |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Feljin Jose | Green |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Colm O'Rourke | Fine Gael |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Gayle Ralph | Fine Gael |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Cat O'Driscoll | Social Democrats |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | John Stephens | Fianna Fáil |
| Cabra–Glasnevin | Séamas McGrattan | Sinn Féin |
| Clontarf | Naoise Ó Muirí | Fine Gael |
| Clontarf | Deirdre Heney | Fianna Fáil |
| Clontarf | Barry Heneghan | Independent |
| Clontarf | Catherine Stocker | Social Democrats |
| Clontarf | Donna Cooney | Green |
| Clontarf | Alison Field | Labour |
| Donaghmede | Tom Brabazon | Fianna Fáil |
| Donaghmede | Daryl Barron | Fianna Fáil |
| Donaghmede | Paddy Monahan | Social Democrats |
| Donaghmede | Supriya Singh | Fine Gael |
| Donaghmede | Mícheál Mac Donncha | Sinn Féin |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Pat Dunne | Right to Change |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Carolyn Moore | Green |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Punam Rane | Fine Gael |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Fiona Connelly | Labour |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Eoin Hayes | Social Democrats |
| Kimmage–Rathmines | Patrick Kinsella | Fine Gael |
| North Inner City | Ray McAdam | Fine Gael |
| North Inner City | Janet Horner | Green |
| North Inner City | Christy Burke | Independent |
| North Inner City | Malachy Steenson | Independent |
| North Inner City | Nial Ring | Independent |
| North Inner City | Janice Boylan | Sinn Féin |
| North Inner City | Daniel Ennis | Social Democrats |
| Pembroke | James Geoghegan | Fine Gael |
| Pembroke | Hazel Chu | Green |
| Pembroke | Dermot Lacey | Labour |
| Pembroke | Emma Blain | Fine Gael |
| Pembroke | Rory Hogan | Fianna Fáil |
| South East Inner City | Claire Byrne | Green |
| South East Inner City | Kourtney Kenny | Sinn Féin |
| South East Inner City | Danny Byrne | Fine Gael |
| South East Inner City | Cian Farrell | Social Democrats |
| South East Inner City | Mannix Flynn | Independent |
| South West Inner City | Michael Pidgeon | Green |
| South West Inner City | Darragh Moriarty | Labour |
| South West Inner City | Jen Cummins | Social Democrats |
| South West Inner City | Ammar Ali | Fianna Fáil |
| South West Inner City | Máire Devine | Sinn Féin |

#### Notes

* 1 2 3 John Lyons is a member of the unregistered Independent Left party and therefore sits as an independent on the council, and appeared as so on the 2024 ballot paper.
* ↑ Changed party, see table below for details.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Replaced during term, see table below for details.

#### Co-options

| Party | Outgoing | LEA | Reason | Date | Co-optee |
| Fianna Fáil | Tom Brabazon | Donaghmede | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Aoibheann Mahon |
| Social Democrats | Jen Cummins | South West Inner City | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Lesley Byrne |
| Sinn Féin | Máire Devine | South West Inner City | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Ciaran Ó Meachair |
| Fine Gael | James Geoghegan | Pembroke | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | David Coffey |
| Social Democrats | Eoin Hayes | Kimmage–Rathmines | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Tara Deacy |
| Independent | Barry Heneghan | Clontarf | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Kevin Breen |
| Fine Gael | Naoise Ó Muirí | Clontarf | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 18 December 2024 | Clodagh Ní Mhuirí |

#### Changes in affiliation

| Name | LEA | Elected as | Elected as | New affiliation | New affiliation | Date |
| Philip Sutcliffe Snr | Ballyfermot–Drimnagh | | Independent Ireland | | Independent | 23 November 2024 |

## Council buildings

The Lord Mayor's official residence is the Mansion House, which first became the residence of the Lord Mayor in 1715.
Council meetings take place in the headquarters at Dublin City Hall. Formerly Royal Exchange, the City Hall is one of Dublin's finest buildings and located on Dame Street. It was built in 1769–79 to the winning design of Thomas Cooley. In an architectural competition, James Gandon was the runner-up with a scheme that many people favoured. The building was taken over for city government use in the 1850s.