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

To clarify, I said at the time that both the mayor and the director general - the now CEO - based on the powers they have, will be able to enter into contracts. The mayor has powers to enter into contract in areas where he retains executive functions. The director general will have powers, as he has now, to enter into contracts that come under the area he retains. I also clarified at the time that the mayor will be who the designated activity companies, DACs, report to, rather than the current CEO. That is a significant change.