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

Senator Gavan also spoke about social and affordable housing. I want to see more of that. He made reference to Castleconnell in Limerick. The local authority is looking at an affordable cost-rental scheme of upwards of 20 units in Castleconnell. I do not know the number of tenants in situ as that is private information. I want to see Part V applied in new estates, with 10% social housing provided. Senator Gavan's point is well made. Overall in Limerick we are looking at affordable purchase schemes going ahead in Castletroy with 25 units. I would like to see them moving quicker. There is another scheme in Mungret and another affordable cost-rental scheme in Castletroy. I want the council to progress these as quickly as possible.

Senator Hoey made reference to Moldova. I hope the directly elected mayor legislation for Limerick is the start of a process. Within this legislation every local authority that wishes to do so will be able to hold a plebiscite to have a directly elected mayor.One of the things that may be missed in the discussion is that the margin was very low in both Waterford and Cork. The differential was only 1% or 2%. We are moving into something new in the context of Limerick. It is a great opportunity for the city and county.