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

I apologise for being delayed. I thank the Acting Chair and Members for their indulgence.

I will speak to amendments Nos. 40 to 46, inclusive, in the name of the Labour Party, Civil Engagement Group and Sinn Féin Senators as they have been grouped for discussion. These amendments relate to the requirement for the mayor to present a draft of the mayoral programme for consideration by the elected council at an ordinary meeting and to propose a range of suggestions for potential amendments to the programme, public consultation on the programme and the availability and accessibility of the programme. The section, as it currently stands, requires the mayor to consider any comments or observations made by members of the elected council at the meeting. I am satisfied that taking into account those comments or observations from members may lead to the mayor making amendments to the mayoral programme. Regarding public consultation, it is important to remember that the democratically elected mayor will run on a manifesto which will be put before the people of Limerick and will be elected on that basis. The mayor would then prepare a mayoral programme that reflects that. That seems to me to be the best form of public consultation.

On a separate point, I note it is somewhat of a contradiction to provide for a non-statutory public consultation in legislation. On the accessibility and availability of the final programme, the provision as currently drafted provides sufficient means to access the programme, both electronically and in hard copy. It is my view that the provisions of the Bill are sufficient to deal with all these issues. I am minded to look at bringing forward one aspect, namely amendment No. 41, which looks to extend the period within which a mayoral programme is provided from seven to 14 days before the meeting. I am minded to work with that amendment and I will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to reflect that.

It is my view that the provisions of the Bill are sufficient to deal with all these issues and accordingly the proposed amendments are unnecessary. However, I certainly will accept the thrust of amendment No. 41 tabled by the Civil Engagement Group to increase the number of days for which the draft mayoral programme will be available to councillors from seven to 14 days before the meeting and I will bring forward an amendment to that effect on Report Stage.