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

I thank the Chair for his input. I will go through his points one by one. The development contribution schedule and rates will be the responsibility of the mayor. It will be his job to liaise with the executive. Let us think about what is happening here. All the powers the current chief executive has will be transferred to the new democratically elected mayor, except for those core powers that relate to administering schemes and grants, enforcement and planning. We are talking about the basics when it comes to operating schemes, which would never be dealt with in the context of the political realm. The powers to which I refer will be transferred to the mayor and, obviously, he, in conjunction with the executive, will be putting forward the development plan for adjudication by the members of the council. Clearly, he would have his policy in respect of and stamp on that. When he is elected and puts forward his programme for Limerick to be voted on by the members, that will shape what county development plan he will have. The corporate plan will flow on from that. It is important to recognise that significant powers being conferred upon the mayor in that regard.

On what the Chair said in respect of head 36, it is important that the new mayor will have a strong link to the heart of Government, insofar as it affects County Limerick. I hope this will not disenfranchise other democratically elected local authority members throughout the country. In that context, provision is made for the holding of plebiscites within other local authority areas. As some of the committee members stated, we have to get this right because people will be observing how this process goes and assessing the value it will add for the people of Limerick city and county and what the mayor will be like in terms of fulfilling his or her duties.

We all have a major responsibility in respect of this matter and that is why I value the committee's work in terms of stress-testing many of these proposals. I look forward to its report in terms of what it can bring to the process in order to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for Limerick and ensure that this will be a success. It is important that engagement is being stitched into the process in the context of section 18 of the Local Government Act 2019. We will be keen to engage and assist the new mayor because he or she will need help when the process begins. This is the biggest reform in local government since the foundation of our State and it is exciting to be involved.