Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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On amendments Nos. 25, 68 and 70, I wish to advise colleagues that the Bill respects carefully the history and civic traditions associated with local government. I am pleased that Deputy Stanley also respects them. For example, it reiterates the recognition given in the Local Government Act 2001 to various historic charters for civic or ceremonial purposes. Consistent with this approach provision for the use of the titles of Lord Mayor or Mayor in respect of the city is discontinued by the Bill. Similarly, in the case of a merging authority in Limerick and Waterford, it will be open to the overall authority to adopt the title of Mayor in view of the fact that these will be city and county councils.

The Government decided also that following the mergers of Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council the municipal districts which incorporate the metropolitan areas of these two cities may continue to use the titles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. This will provide an additional means of maintaining the identity of the cities in the context of the merged entities. Deputy Stanley's amendments would seem to have the effect of removing this entitlement in the case of the metropolitan districts.

The Bill provides that it will be a matter of democratic choice on the part of the elected members in Limerick and Waterford, both at municipal district and plenary council level, to decide on the appropriate allocation of titles. I consider that this is the most appropriate arrangement. Overall, I am satisfied that the provisions of the Bill relating to the use of mayoral titles is appropriate and, therefore, I do not propose to accept the amendments.