Councillor Hilary Quinlan:

With regard to Deputy Coffey's point on mayors, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary are being merged. In the case of Waterford and Limerick, there must be a mayor in the metropolitan area and a Cathaoirleach in the county. Councillor Michael O'Brien referred to the fact that there are only 31 authorities. Outside of the amalgamated counties, there should be a mayor of a county and a chair of each municipal district. This would result in less confusion. In times past, there were too many mayors of big and small towns and villages, which demeaned the civic title of mayor.