Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We had a lot of discussion about this key issue. The Minister of State dealt with it earlier in his amendment. I thank him for that. We have had some discussion outside the Chamber between our previous meeting in the Seanad and this one. I was trying to drive home the importance of the regeneration. The Minister of State had a difficulty with the wording of the amendment. He wanted to reflect on it, which I understand. He clearly did have an issue with it. That makes sense. He is from Limerick and the mayor is for Limerick city and county. Sometimes people forget that. It is a very successful city and county council. It is important that the mayor is at the engine, or the front, driving innovation and new investment and driving the agenda. If mayors are going to be successful they must have real teeth. They must be more than just a figurehead. They are not just cutting ribbons, they have got to be driving the vision and the strategy. They need to seek renewal. They want to make Limerick city and county a more attractive place to live, work, play, study and do all the other things. Limerick is a fantastic city. The county is a fantastic place. The city and county councillors do an amazing job, sometimes with limited resources.

We are now talking about a new vision, plan, idea and concept for a mayor for the city and county of Limerick, our first under this new arrangement. It is not going to be easy. There will be many setbacks and challenges but I do believe it is about innovation. My colleagues on the right-hand side of me are fiercely committed to regeneration, the Land Development Agency, and new houses, whether public, private or affordable. We do not get hung up on ideology. We want to see more homes, schools, investment, jobs and greater opportunities with people living to their full capacity, expectation and ambition for themselves. I believe that is the case and I know everyone here wants people to be able to realise their ambition for their city and county. I genuinely wish this project well.

I am glad the Minister of State is fully supportive of the idea that the mayor would be the driver, in co-operation with all the others. It is not a single thing, but they would drive the ambition for the city, and drive the regeneration and rejuvenation of what is a wonderful town. It is not a town, it is a wonderful city. It is a very historic city and the people are very proud of it. It is about protecting its unique architectural fabric but also its culture, business, enterprise and educational opportunities. I see the mayor to the fore of this. It will make the mayor relevant. I am happy the Minister of State has taken that point on board. In light of that, I do not see it as necessary to proceed with this amendment. I again thank him for his very constructive engagement with me between these two sessions of the Seanad dealing with this Bill.