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

The programme for Government has a commitment to legislate for directly-elected mayors. I was delighted to see voters in Limerick approve the proposal put in the plebiscite on Friday to allow for a directly-elected mayor to lead our local authority. Sinn Féin supported a "Yes" vote for a directly-elected mayor in Limerick but we had a job of work to explain to people the benefits of having that position. That was because of the total lack of information provided by the Government. I have no doubt this lack of clarity contributed to the proposal, which is positive, failing in Waterford and Cork. That is a shame. Will the Minister of State tell us when he will publish legislation to provide for a directly-elected mayor to show more powers are being returned to the citizens of Limerick?

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