Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It seems like he has used a hammer to crack a nut here. He gave the impression that the move was positive but the jury is out on whether that is the case.

With regard to the question of retention, the Minister used a variety of adjectives to define the mayoralty of Waterford when we discussed the matter. Liverpool has a mayor and chief executive officer. I remember talking to its CEO during a visit to the city. I learned that the mayoral role is largely ceremonial and that he or she has no other function whatsoever. I suggest, in the case of Waterford and Limerick, that even though municipal councillors can nominate and elect a mayor, the position will gradually its profile and be less effective simply due to being part of a larger voting block that represents the entire county of Limerick and the entire county of Waterford. That is the only reason I raised the question of tension between the two regions.

I know that the Minister is not going to change his mind on the matter. The jury is out on whether the development is positive and it may be detrimental in the long term to the interests of both of the cities of Limerick and Waterford.