Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 22 and 23 relate to section 31, which requires the mayor to prepare and publish a mayoral programme setting out the key priorities and objectives for his or her term of office.

It is important to remember that the democratically elected mayor will run on a manifesto put before the people of Limerick and will be elected on that basis. It is important that the mayor prepare a mayoral programme that reflects that. In preparing the programme, the mayor may have regard to the statutory obligations of the council and relevant Government policies and objectives, and consider the views of the elected members. I consider the existing provisions in the Bill are appropriate in these circumstances.

Amendment No. 23 seeks to oblige the mayor to undertake a public consultation before finalising the mayoral programme. The mayor will have laid his or her manifesto before the people of Limerick and I consider that the most effective and extensive public consultation that could be undertaken.

Separately, the Bill provides for the establishment of a Limerick mayoral advisory and implementation committee. One of the functions of this committee is to assist the mayor in the preparation and delivery of the mayoral programme. I believe that is the appropriate forum for any other engagement that the mayor may think is appropriate.

The mayoral programme is the prerogative of the mayor. The annual budget is the reserved function of the council chamber, with the mayor being an additional member taking its membership from 40 to 41. The mayor puts his or her name before the people in a democratic way and is voted on by the people. He or she must have autonomy over that programme but is required to consult all stakeholders and the council chamber members. For the role to be highly effective, the mayor will have to take these views on board. For it to work, there will have to be collaboration with the chamber, reflective of what the public elected members on, and with the director general.

Both amendments are adequately covered in the legislation. We see what the amendments are seeking to achieve but this is already provided for. I cannot accept the amendments.