Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief on amendment No. 3. This amendment seeks to ensure that the democratic mandate for directly elected mayor given in 2019 by the people of Limerick will be respected and properly reflected and that an election for the office will take place this year. The people have been waiting a long time, since 2019. The amendment provides that the necessary sections of the legislation on holding a mayoral election must be commenced within three months of the Bill's passage. This is to ensure no delay in the election and that it will take place this year. Unfortunately, we passed Bills in the past but did not commence relevant sections, which can result in another phase of limbo. I hope the Minister of State will be able to assure us the sections on the mayoral election will be commenced within the three months we suggest.