Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Most people in this House know that a very historic election is taking place in Limerick on 7 June. I must declare I am a candidate in that election, but I assure you, a Ceann Comhairle, that it is not the reason I am raising this particular issue.

I refer to the election for a directly elected mayor, the first in Ireland's history, which will happen in Limerick. The Taoiseach and I both know this is not simply about electing a ceremonial mayor. It is about electing an executive mayor. Effectively, it is like electing the county manager for Limerick on 7 June. What I am getting on the doors is that people do not quite understand that. I do think there is a deficit in the campaigning by the State and the Department in helping people to understand that this is historic, not simply because the people are going to vote for the mayor, but because the mayor's role is actually going to be an executive role as well. We can do more as a Government to help people understand the importance of this new office.

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