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

Absolutely. The mayor is a member of the chamber, it is 40 plus 1. He or she is accountable to the chamber and is in essence taking up a senior role within the chamber. He or she will be bringing forward proposals. Once again, it is hugely important in the spirit of co-operation and looking at local authorities around the world where having a directly elected mayor has worked, they have worked with co-operation. The mayor still has to have a democratic mandate, however.Looking at the local authorities where it has not worked, there has not been co-operation. I do not want to namecheck, but two are about to reverse their decisions. This is provided for in the legislation. This is very much in a positive mould. The mayor will bring forward many proposals. Limerick is always looking to twin and to work in a collaborative manner. It should be remembered as well that where local authorities form DACs in terms of investment vehicles or whatever else, they will now report to the mayor, not the CEO. That is significant. I want the mayor to have a role that drives on policy and for the implementation of that policy to be done by the phenomenally good staff within the local authority. The mayor brings added value. It is provided for in the legislation. I want to think in a positive, collaborative manner on this.