Amendment on wider role for new directly elected Limerick mayor rejected by TDs

A Sinn Féin bid to have a series of additional roles for the new directly elected mayor of Limerick, including in the areas of tourism and policing, set out in the legislation to create the office, has been rejected by Government TDs.

The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was debated at the Committee on Housing on Wednesday where Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan claimed the proposed legislation has been “very disappointing for most people in Limerick”.

Minister of State for Housing Kieran O’Donnell rejected the proposed Sinn Féin amendment arguing that much of what the opposition party is seeking is reflected in the Bill.

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A successful 2019 plebiscite saw the people of Limerick vote in favour of creating the office.

The new mayor is to take on executive functions, at a strategic or policy level, in areas including housing, road transport and safety and proposing the development plan for the local authority.

They will also be responsible for proposing the annual budget to councillors who will vote on whether or not to adopt it.

In its amendment Sinn Féin wanted further roles described in the legislation.

These included that the mayor would have “an ambassadorial role” in the promotion and delivery of a living wage in businesses and responsibilities in promoting Limerick as a tourist destination.

Sinn Féin proposed that the mayor would have responsibility for the organising and chairing of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

Among other responsibilities the party also sought an oversight role for the mayor in the implementation of Limerick regeneration projects.

Mr Quinlivan, a Limerick City TD, told the committee: “It is crucial for the success of the directly-elected mayor project that the elected mayor has sufficient powers to ensure ... that the position would not just be a ribbon-cutting position.”

Mr O’Donnell another Limerick City TD addressed each of the roles Sinn Féin wanted to add to the office of directly elected mayor.

He said that the Government is committed to progressing to a national living wage by 2026 so there should be no need for the mayor to have an ambassadorial role on this.

He said supporting tourism is included in the role of a committee that the new mayor is to establish and chair and so that Sinn Féin proposal is already reflected in the Bill.

Mr O’Donnell said JPCs are set to be replaced by community safety partnerships next year under separate legislation progressing through the Oireachtas and he “cannot accept an amendment that the new mayor chair an entity that will shortly be replaced.” He said he is in favour of the mayor having a role in the new local community safety partnerships.

Mr O’Donnell also said: “I agree that the mayor will have an important role in the oversight of regeneration in Limerick and this is reflected in the Bill.”

Mr Quinlivan said he disagreed with Mr O’Donnell fundamentally and that he does not think the kind of mayor supported by the people of Limerick in 2019 is being delivered.

Mr O’Donnell insisted that the “structures are strong” in the legislation.

Mr Quinlivan pressed a vote on the Sinn Féin amendment. This was defeated by Government TDs on the committee.