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

I concur with the sentiments of the former Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, that it is the most progressive and the biggest reform of local government since the foundation of the State. In the first instance, looking at the timeline, on 24 May 2019 the plebiscite was held. Subsequently, we established the implementation advisory group in January 2021. Following that, there was a general election and programme for Government negotiations took place. Mr. Tim O'Connor and his advisory group had to go through their process online, which was very impressive. The group received over 1,000 submissions through an online process, which included all stakeholders in Limerick city and county. The general scheme was approved on 20 April 2021 and we received the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in November 2021. It is a priority, this term, to get the legislation through the Oireachtas. It is up to the Government to set a date for the election. I see my specific role as ensuring that the office of mayor - including the structure and governance aspects - is put in place so that the Government can make its decision on the timing of the election. I assure all Deputies that we are working very hard on the matter. We have it on the priority legislation schedule. Hopefully, we will make significant progress on it this term.

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