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

I thank Deputy Higgins for her very kind comments. There is a huge amount of reform going on in the local authority space. I am very proud to work with a Department that is really to the forefront of delivering that change.

The Deputy referenced a number of items. One thing that really struck me looking around the various different local authorities is that it is key an authority absolutely reflects the society it is governing in diversity, gender and all those key areas. We are really working hard to deliver that. Aside from the Moorhead report, we also have many non-pay items we are working hard to improve, including, as the Deputy rightly mentioned, conditions in our council chambers. Obviously, maternity leave will be a key focus in that and we have our group of women councillors meeting. What they need is an option that will really work for them and deliver rather than just being told and not embracing this. That is why I was keen to meet all the councillors down in Limerick, which I have done. I have done a number of Zoom meetings and look forward to going down there soon and talking to the members, the cathaoirleach and all the various different actors down there because I, like the committee, really need to be informed to try to deliver the best possible start for a mayor. Deputy Higgins rightly referenced that this is going to be a pilot and Limerick will be judged on how it performs compared to our other 30 local authorities around the country and it is very important we do a good job on it. I am very happy to work with committee again on it and thank the Deputy for her positive comments.