People in Cork, Limerick and Galway look set to vote on whether they want  directly elected mayors.

The Taoiseach has revealed plans to hold mini referendums on the issue next year.

At present, local councillors decide among themselves who will be mayor for a year.

However, the Taoiseach would like that to change.

He would prefer if people in their own counties directly elected their mayor.

If approved, the mayors would be in office for five years and have powers to make crucial decisions.

The Governments plans to ask people in Galway, Limerick and Cork if they would be in favour of this at mini referendums next May.

The vote would coincide with the Local and European elections.

Leo Varadkar exclusively revealed his plans to Newstalk at Fine Gael’s think-in in Galway.

He observed: "If people in those cities and counties want to try this out, we will then make that happen in subsequent years."

If passed, it would mean a footballer or a local celebrity could become mayor instead of a politician.

The Taoiseach believes there’s nothing wrong with that, explaining: "We had a county footballer who became Taoiseach in the case of Jack Lynch - and was a good Taoiseach by all accounts.

"We've had people from GAA backgrounds who become MEPs and Ministers. So I don't think the fact that you're well-known or have a background in sports means that you mightn't be a good mayor."

Dublin will not be included in this mini referendum.

A Citizens' Assembly will instead be established, where people will be asked what should be done in the capital.

The Taoiseach says the situation in Dublin is tricky, as the capital has four local authorities and they have to figure out how it could all work.

Reporting by Stephanie Rohan and Stephen McNeice