#Elections2019: Many parties were 'absent' in campaigning for directly-elected mayors, says Jerry Buttimer

The people of Cork city and Waterford may be asked to again consider the proposal of directly-elected mayors after voters narrowly rejected a mayoral plebiscite.

Also, a war of words erupted within minutes of the result being announced in Cork City Hall as Fine Gael accused Fianna Fáil of remaining 'absent' in the campaign and of playing party politics with the city's future.