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

That is fine. I thank the Chairman for that clarification. I thought as much but it is good to have it clarified for the record.

We had a very open discussion on this subject on Committee Stage. I recognise the good intentions of the amendments and appreciate that their aim is to ensure that Limerick can expect to have a mayor who is fully committed to advancing the issues that concern Limerick people in their daily lives. Indeed, we are all working to that aim but Deputy Quinlivan's point is well made.

As promised on Committee Stage, I have considered this issue and have once again studied the provisions of section 9 as they currently stand. As I said previously, the office of mayor is a full-time, demanding role. It is a very responsible position with a salary level commensurate with that responsibility. Section 9(5) states that the mayor will serve on a "full-time basis" for his or her term of office, while section 9(8) provides that the mayor is prohibited from engaging in any occupation which would interfere or be incompatible with his or her role as mayor. The mayor will be subject to the ethics provisions of the Local Government Act and the code of conduct for the local government service. Having reflected on the matter, I remain of the view that on balance these provisions are sufficient to ensure the person who is elected mayor of Limerick will have a full-time focus on being mayor. More importantly, the elected council of Limerick has strong powers for holding the mayor to account in the performance of his or her duties. The council will be highly motivated to ensure the mayor performs and delivers for the people of Limerick and this is the most effective and appropriate way of ensuring the mayor is fully focused on his or her mayoral responsibilities. On that basis, I do not propose to accept the amendments.

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