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

The amendments in Deputy Quinlivan's name relate to section 32 of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a Limerick mayoral advisory and implementation committee. Amendment No. 24 seeks to change the manner in which council members are appointed to this committee. As mentioned, one of the main functions of the committee, chaired by the mayor, is to assist the mayor in the preparation and implementation of the mayoral programme. It will also work with the mayor in supporting economic, tourism, social and cultural matters, considering initiatives to sustain employment, co-ordinating initiatives, services and funding to support rural areas and measures concerning the regeneration of cities and towns. As such it is appropriate that the mayor appoints such persons, including members of the council and from nominating bodies, as they consideration appropriate. The mayor can basically invite who he or she wishes. It is broad. Therefore, on that basis I cannot accept this amendment.

Amendment No. 25 proposes to suggest what type of nominating bodies the mayor could seek nominations from to participate in the committee. Representation from businesses, trade unions, and community and voluntary sector organisations certainly has merit. I am satisfied that the generality of the provision as currently drafted means that there will be no difficulty with these sectors being requested by the mayor to nominate a person to the committee, should the mayor wish to do so. Therefore, I see no need for this amendment. Once again it goes back to the democratic mandate of the mayor.

Amendment No. 26 seeks to prevent the mayor from dissolving their own committee or sub-committees without having the approval of the elected members to do so. Section 32 enables the mayor to establish and constitute the members of the committee but this proposes that they may not dissolve these without council approval. As I mentioned, this is the mayor’s committee and it is a matter for this democratically elected mayor to have responsibility for all matters relating to it. The mayor is setting up the committee and I do not think he or she should have to seek approval to dissolve it. We believe there is more than enough scope for the mayor to include who they wish on the committee. On those grounds, I do not see a need to accept the amendments.