On finishing signing, Blair emerged to a cacophony of shouts to the gathered protesters.

And zooming in, he’s on the right -

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A fire has broken out at the New York dry cleaners shop on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin this evening a little before nine o’clock.

Just back from the scene of the fire and grabbed the following video.

Windows in the building were blown out and emotions were running high in the crowd.

Luas red line services were disrupted with inbound trams ceasing at Smithfield. No reports of injuries at present.

The controversial Dublin city 30km per hour speed limit will remain in place after votes to reduce the affected area and abolish the measure failed to pass at last night’s city council meeting. The meeting got hot and heavy at times, with councillors scrabbling on technicalities of the discussion – an obvious indicator of tension.

Labour’s Andrew Montague who had proposed the original measure was seeking an amendment to the area that the speed limit affects. This amendment failed to get the requisite 26 votes. As did Fine Gael’s Bill Tormey’s proposal to withdraw the limit.

Watch the discussion here. Interesting to note the mentions of Eamon Gilmore and RTE! (It appears my video has the stutters, apologies)

This morning, the heads of the Dublin mayoral bill were published on the web. The Local Government (Dublin Mayor and Regional Authority) Act 2010 will form the Dublin Regional Authority (DRA) with a newly-elected mayor as its head.

Just how much power will the Dublin Mayor have though?

The office of Dublin Mayor will administer the functions of the DRA to boost the economic, civic and planning of the city. Strictly speaking, the mayor is the jam in the sandwich of the Dublin local authorities. On powers to deal with traffic, more detail is expected.

Within six months, the Dublin Mayor must present a strategy statement for the city. This statement will mark out their stab at identifying their goals, strategies and what success of those strategies looks like. That strategy will be tempered by feedback from the DRA before they are published.

The mayor can issue directions to Dublin’s local authorities based off the regional plan for city.  Before the mayor issues a directive, they have to consult with local authorities. Local authorities do not have to comply with the directions of the Dublin Mayor if suggestions are cost prohibitive. Interestingly, directives from the Dublin Mayor come second to the Minister for Finance if the advice differs.

Mayoral elections will coincide with local elections come the next round in 2014 and going forward.

If you feel like boiling up a pot of coffee, the heads of bill can be found on Scribd published by the Green Party.

Takeaways on the DRA structure from the heads of bill

Deputy mayor and composition of the DRA:

• The mayor will appoint a deputy mayor
• In case of incapicitation or resignation, the deputy mayor will step in
• The DRA will have 16 members including the mayor. The other 15 members of the authority will be appointed by the Dublin local authorities

CEO of the DRA:

• The mayor will appoint a CEO of the Dublin Regional Authority. The CEO will manage the staff, admin functions and business of the Dublin Regional Authority

Staffing and appointment of staff of the DRA:

• The mayor can appoint a maximum of 5 people as staff to the Dublin Regional Authority (outside of the CEO function). When appointing this people to the authority, support documentation should be lodged per appointment.
• Additional appointees by the mayor must be approved by the Minister of Finance
• The DRA can use consultancy services and advisers subject to the usual

Annual reporting and finances:

• The Dublin Regional Authority will prepare an annual report for June 30th every year
• The report will include details on the finances and the performance of the DRA
• The Minister for Finance will decide on the salary for the Dublin Mayor
• The job of Dublin Mayor is a pensionable position

Photo by Bentza on Flickr under CC Attribution licence

Weeks after the Cold Snap, residents in South Dublin County Council are facing fresh water restrictions. Water supply is being restricted to homes in different areas within the SDCC area at night-time.

Today, for example, water is being restricted in Rathcoole, Newcastle and parts of Tallaght.

Despite the lack of chilly weather, water demand has spiked in the last week.

The demand trend at the end of the this graph is curving up according to SDCC Labour Party councillor, Dermot Looney.

The SDCC website details planned water restrictions up to Tuesday next, February 16th. Areas affected by these include Clondalkin, Lucan, Tallaght, Rathfarmham and Templeogue.