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

I move amendment No. 22:

In page 22, line 5, to delete “or observations” and substitute “, observations and potential amendments”.

Section 31(5) states “the Mayor shall, before finalising the Mayoral programme, consider any comments or observations”. This amendment will insert a reference to “potential amendments”. It is important with the transition to a democratically elected mayor that our commitment to local democracy and the role of local councillors does not become diluted. As such, it is important that councillors have an opportunity to do more than just comment and observe in the meeting. To respect local democracy, it is important that the power to table amendments to the programme be considered.

Amendment No. 23 refers to a non-statutory public consultation before finalising the mayoral programme. We emphasise the word "non-statutory". The opportunity for the electorate to consider the mayoral programme will enhance local democracy. The mayoral role is an elected role and the requirement for a public consultation reflects the democratic nature of the role. The reason we use the term "non-statutory" is that we know how long it can take and how complicated it can be. We are talking about having some sort of consultation on that.