Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We could argue that the mayor will be spanceled before he or she ever receives a mandate. Let us call a spade a spade. Limerick politics are cut and thrust; they are pugilistic betimes, no more than in any other city in Ireland. The idea that there will be a wonderfully seamless relationship between the director general and the mayor of the city is a bit naive and we are not buying it. A good mayor will punch back, and I mean that in the most respectful way and in the spirit of Limerick politics.

There is an overcautiousness in this legislation towards the rebalancing of powers in favour of elected representatives. That is the bottom line. Let us call a spade a spade. If we are to be realistic in terms of giving people in cities like Limerick real representative power, we must move that power away from the Civil Service, notwithstanding the professionalism of its staff, the advice they will give through the director general and the assignment of some of those staff to the mayor's team. Dare I say it, it is slightly misguided and overcautious not to give the mayor of the day real power.

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