Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two issues. I welcome the report that was launched today by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a directly elected mayor for Limerick. I pay tribute to the committee for its work on the report and to the witnesses who presented to the committee. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill lasted for quite a while. I also pay tribute to the councillors who made an input and to the implementation committee that was set up in Limerick two years ago by the then Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, and is now working with the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. This is an important day for Limerick and the mid-west.

I will make two or three points. First, the change will not work unless there is a significant budget behind it. Second, there has to be a speaker of the house and perhaps an assistant speaker to back up the directly elected mayor.The mayor must also be given significant powers. Limerick will be the first. It is good that other cities and counties will also have the opportunity of having a plebiscite down the road. I welcome that.

There are 95 people on trolleys and chairs in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, and just over 400 people on trolleys in hospitals throughout the country. This means that one quarter of those on trolleys are in UHL. I pay tribute to the staff at the hospital who are working in extreme circumstances. It is frightening that the highest number of people ever are waiting on trolleys at UHL today. I previously called for a debate with the Minister on hospital numbers. We need him to come to the Seanad. I know that a lot is going on with Covid and everything else, but people's healthcare is imperative. The Minister should come to the House for discussion on waiting lists.