Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Waterford is well represented here by Senator Cummins and others. As far as the county mayor is concerned, Waterford and Kilkenny are being well looked after. I would like to speak on behalf of all the other counties not mentioned thus far. The 2001 Act provided for directly elected mayors.

We could end up with a case where a district in a county with 20,000 people would have a mayor but the county, with a larger population, would not. They could be ruled by two different people in opposition etc. I am a great county woman and every county would hold its pride. Many counties do not want to use the term "mayor" and prefer the term "cathaoirleach". The Minister might reconsider the issue.