Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McAuliffe for his question. As I said in my opening remarks, the general scheme has been approved by Cabinet today. Have no doubt this is the most wide-ranging reform of local government since the foundation our State, which is to have a new democratically elected executive head of Limerick city and county. This will be a focal point to the citizen for more transparency and will give the opportunity to unlock the potential. If you look at the 69 recommendations that were contained within the implementation advisory group, you will see the vision and ambition that were set out. We are aiming to realise that ambition as best we can over the coming weeks. I assure the Deputy that the detail in this general scheme, which will be going forward to this committee, is very clear and direct and tries to deliver on all those services that are provided to the citizen.

As to Dublin, it is in line with the commitment in the programme for Government that it reverts to the citizens’ assembly, which takes place after the assembly on gender issues. That will come back to the four Dublin regional local authorities to make a determination on the direction of travel. Contained within the legislation up to 2024 is the right for other local authorities to have a vote or plebiscite to request central government to allow and facilitate what happened in Limerick in terms of a directly elected executive head of the local authority. We are very focused on getting Limerick right first. We have seen the elections and plebiscites that happened in the Thirty-second Dáil and the debates surrounding them. We want to make sure we get it absolutely right and that it is something Limerick can show as a beacon for the country as to transparency and as to being the chief advocate for County Limerick with wide-ranging statutory consultation powers. This is in addition to real reform such as is contained in the heads of this Bill where he or she will be chairperson of the Project Ireland 2040 implementation board. That person, whoever the new mayor is, will be able to reflect significant budgets on the ground directly to our citizens in Limerick.