Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to come back in because this is a good amendment. I have to agree entirely with Senator Boyhan that talking about the spirit of the amendment really means nothing at the end of the day unless the amendment is accepted. Talking about the role that the new mayor will have in terms of chairing is all well and good but, as has been pointed out, we are here to discuss the legislation today. What I find really concerning is that right now in the House, Deputy O'Donnell, as Minister of State and as a Limerick man, is saying that he objects to this amendment which simply states that the mayor should be responsible for the implementation and management of regeneration projects in the Limerick City and County Council area. That is an incredibly negative message to send just four months ahead of the election. The Minister of State is saying that he rejects this provision but I cannot see any reason for objecting to it if one believes in the spirit of what it is saying. I ask him to give us the legal rationale for not accepting this amendment because he would have to acknowledge that the people of Limerick want the mayor to have these powers in relation to regeneration. They want to see the mayor have that responsibility and be able to use those powers effectively. I am genuinely taken aback that the Minister of State will not accept this amendment. It is not Sinn Féin's amendment but is one that we very much support. It should command the support of everybody in this House. It will not reflect well on the Minister of State if he rejects this amendment. As someone from Limerick, he is looking to curtail the powers of the newly-elected mayor. Hopefully, he will think on this and come back in a more positive frame of mind.