Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if Deputy Duffy is there if not. If not, I will take the second Green Party slot because it is an area I have a particular interest in. It is a fantastic opportunity for Limerick and I commend the people of Limerick on taking the opportunity. As other members said, it needs to be done right. There will perhaps be an extra-long period for a mayor because he or she will be coming in halfway through a local election cycle. Limerick may end up with the mayor for much longer than the five years; it may be for seven years, depending on when the election would be.

Having listened to the commentary, and given everything that was suggested in 2019 and what was put into the Bill, it seems to be quite a disappointment. The committee has only had engagement with the Department so far. We have not yet had engagement with people from Limerick, or with Oireachtas Members or councillors from Limerick. We have written to councillors looking for submissions. With a well-funded mayor with real powers in all of the areas we have talked about beyond planning, transport and economic matters and into the areas of education, industry and business, do the witnesses believe it would be quite challenging for Oireachtas Members in that location to have a person in that mayor's position as well? I see nods.