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

Anyone who knows me knows that implementation and substance are hugely important to me. I note the genuineness of the amendments that have been put forward. I am trying to work in real time. I want to listen to the Members here. If I am looking through legislation it is because I am actively trying to process what Members are saying. Anyone who knows me knows that is my approach. I have accepted some amendments but there must always be a logic. I put forward this legislation in a very positive frame. The current situation with regard to the regeneration project in Limerick is that there is a Limerick regeneration framework implementation plan. There is a local strategic advisory group that oversees the implementation of that plan. That plan, in the normal way, would be brought to the Chamber and the members. It involves representatives from the community and other bodies. Senator Gavan and I know many of these people. I am a long time representing Limerick and I understand the difficulties for people living in regeneration areas.

Let us look at the legislation as currently constructed and, in particular, at section 32. We are dealing with legislation and I ask Members to go to section 32 of the Bill. That section deals with the advisory and implementation committee. This is a completely new committee over which the mayor has statutory powers. Government policy is very much around regeneration. Section 33 deals with the functions of the delivery board. We must remember that the statutory advisory monitoring group overseeing the implementation plan will be chaired by the mayor. It is currently chaired by the CEO. Furthermore, the implementation group is chaired by the mayor and the Project 2040 delivery board is also chaired by the mayor. In terms of the role of the delivery board Section 33 (4) makes specific reference to the Limerick City and County Development Plan, which will include the regeneration. It also makes reference to the provision of infrastructure, including infrastructure related to climate change mitigation, large-scale housing and amenities. Large-scale housing and amenities are very much a part of regeneration. The same section makes reference to the "arrangement, co-ordination and provision of social and economic regeneration measures including the development and improvement of land and infrastructure". In terms of the regeneration project, the mayor, rather than the CEO, will chair the statutory advisory and monitoring group that oversees the implementation of the plan. That is a transfer of powers and I would expect it will make the mayor front and centre.

The operational aspects of regeneration are a function of the executive and one has to trust one's executive. The mayor cannot do everything from the cradle to the grave within the local authority. He or she has to drive strategy. As Senator Gavan will attest, there are incredible people working in Limerick City and County Council. They are highly committed. What I want to do is work with what is there but put the mayor in the driving seat on those measures. As it stands the mayor will now become the chair of the strategic monitoring group overseeing the implementation of the regeneration plan. That is copper-fastened by the fact that the mayor will also chair the Project 2040 delivery board. That is something that I put into the legislation to ensure that the mayor will drive infrastructure development. Obviously that will copper fasten the regeneration project.

What the Senators are looking for with their amendment is already catered for within the legislation. The structures are already there and the mayor will take charge of them. I am committed to that and believe that what the Senators are seeking is already provided for in the Bill. It is as much about the processes and procedures that are in place. Legislation is hugely important and I would never say otherwise but the implementation on the ground is also hugely important. For Senator Gavan and myself, who have been involved in Limerick for many years, implementation is key. The mayor will be driving this and I expect he or she will bring responsibility for this area back to the Chamber. We will have something that is very focused because the mayor will take over this role, as provided for in the legislation already. My role as a Minister of State is to ensure that the legislation caters for that and it does.