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

The Senator lived there for many years. He knows the city very well. I acknowledge the Senator's bona fides in the matter.

There is one key element that was not discussed. There will still be the chamber of 40 councillors who have reserve functions. The mayor will be bringing proposals to the chamber. Their role remains unaffected, but it means that the mayor can drive policy on planning and housing. The mayor can drive policy within the local authority to bring it to the chamber. Ultimately, it is a reserve function of the councillors in terms of many of the decisions that are made, and the mayor is also a member of the council. We want a mayor who is driving policy direction for the local authority in a serious way and who will be supported by the operational element within the council. We should never forget that there are excellent people working in local authorities. We have 40 excellent councillors, as it is, in Limerick. Their role remains the same. It is very much about the mayor now being able to drive that focus.