Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will press the amendment because on this occasion, I disagree fundamentally with the Minister of State. He spoke about what the people of Limerick voted for in 2019 but I do not think this is what has been delivered. The Minister of State at the time, Deputy Phelan, had a much more ambitious aim and this was what the people of Limerick were led to be believe would be introduced. I am not the only one who is saying this. The chamber of commerce and all the other stakeholders in Limerick will say it. This draft of the legislation has been very disappointing to most people in Limerick. We are talking about a fundamental change in local government starting off with a directly elected mayor in Limerick which, if done properly will, hopefully, will be replicated across the State and will be nothing but positive. Ireland has the most centralised system of government in the EU with very little connection with local people on the ground. Local authorities have very little authority at the moment. I know it was not the intention of this Bill to address that but it was the intention of the people who came out and voted. I do not have the remind the Minister of State that the referenda were defeated in Cork and Waterford because there was no clarity about what was going to be done. The referendum passed narrowly in Limerick. Before I came in here, I met a group of people from Adare outside. They are not in my constituency but they are from the county. They will not have faith in what is being delivered. This would be the feeling we are getting from a lot of stakeholders. Amendment No. 8 was one of the key amendments we put down inserting new subsections 6 to 12, inclusive. We believe they are fundamental when it comes to addressing the disappointment people will feel. For this reason, we will press this amendment and call a vote if necessary.