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

I note the point the Deputy made, but this is crafted around the mayor's own programme. The mayor will get Exchequer funding to promote this programme. He or she will bring that programme to the people on the basis of a democratic mandate. This advisory group will be formed around that remit. It is open to the mayor to have whoever he or she wishes on it. One of the areas that is built in is that councillors will be on that group. A mayor may go in and decide to adopt what is the d'Hondt system. That is up to the mayor. I go back again to the fact I want to ensure that whatever the people vote on can be implemented. It is that simple. It is not in any way interfering with or taking away from the remit of the existing council. However, if the mayor has a mandate, that mayor must be able to see his or her mandate through. That is the basis of it.

This legislation is subject to review. The recall system is there. It is robust and, once again, has to be based on being fair and balanced but, ultimately, this section of the Bill on the mayoral advisory forum will be based on the mayor's own programme for which he or she will have a democratic mandate. I want to ensure the mayor can deliver on that.

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