Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 120 together.

At its meeting of 20 April 2021, the Government approved the general scheme of a Bill providing for a directly elected mayor for Limerick. The Government also approved the publication of the general scheme, as well as its referral both to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny and to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill. The general scheme is in line with the 2019 Government policy proposals for a directly elected Mayor with executive functions, and also reflects recommendations of the report of the implementation advisory group established to consider a directly elected Mayor with executive functions in Limerick, published in January 2021. In addition, the general scheme contains provisions necessary to allow a local authority to hold a plebiscite on the topic of a directly elected mayor with executive functions for their administrative area alongside the 2024 local elections.

On 11 November 2021, the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme. The committee's report contained a number of important recommendations relating to the directly elected mayor, including the functions of the role, governance arrangements in the local authority and the budgetary process of the local authority, among other matters. The recommendations of the committee's report are under consideration with a view to their incorporation in the Bill in such a way that it will build on the work of the implementation advisory group.

In parallel, I continue to engage with colleagues right across Government to identify further functions and funding for assignment to the mayor and-or Limerick City and County Council. Drafting of this complex Bill is progressing steadily. Publication of the Bill has been identified as a priority for the Department as soon as possible. The timeframe for its passage through the legislative process will be a matter for the Oireachtas when it gets to that stage. It should be noted that the timing of elections for a mayor in Limerick will be decided by the Government once the legislation is enacted.

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