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Plans for a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick City and County
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Publication of the report of the Implementation Advisory Group established to consider a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick city and county
Peter Burke T.D., Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, announced that the Government, at its meeting of Tuesday, 26 January, 2021, approved the publication of the report of the Implementation Advisory Group’s on a directly elected mayor for Limerick. The report is the fruit of a great deal of hard work by the Group, which included local authority elected members and officials, and key stakeholders in Limerick. The report includes input from a range of sectoral stakeholders, as well as a public consultation, which was carried out by the University of Limerick. The Minister is prioritising the preparation of legislation to enable an election for mayor in Limerick in 2021.
Report of the Implementation Advisory Group established to consider a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick city and county
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Report of the Implementation Advisory Group established to consider a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick city and county - Appendices
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On 24 May 2019, plebiscites on proposals for a directly elected mayor with executive functions were held in the local authority areas of Cork City Council; Limerick City and County Council; and Waterford City and County Council. The plebiscites took place in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2019. The proposal for a directly elected mayor was passed in Limerick City and County Council by a margin of 52.4% (38,122 votes in favour) to 47.6% (34,573 votes against).
Detailed Government policy proposals for a direct elected mayor with executive functions
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Under the government’s proposal, a directly elected mayor would have significantly more functions than a Mayor currently has, including some or all of the functions now performed by the Chief Executive of the city and county council.
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2019, the Minister is required to prepare and submit to each House of the Oireachtas a report specifying proposals for the enactment of a law providing for a directly elected mayor of the administrative area in respect of which the plebiscite was held (that is, Limerick City and County). The Minister must submit the report by 24 May 2021.
- the Limerick Mayor Implementation Advisory Group was launched on 2 December 2019 by the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Michael Sheahan, and the Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan TD. The group advised the Minister on the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County. Mr Tim O’Connor chaired the group. The group submitted its report to Minister Burke in October 2020. A copy of the report is available on this webpage.
- the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is carrying out a review of all legislative provisions relating to local authority functions. This work is required to facilitate the transfer of functions to a future directly elected mayor
- once the Minister submits the report on proposals for the enactment of legislation to the Oireachtas, it will consider the legislation. If the required legislation is passed, an election for a mayor with executive functions will take place in the Limerick City and County Council area
Further information, news and updates on the Limerick Mayor Implementation Advisory Group, including terms of reference, membership and minutes of meetings, is available at the following link: