Press release
Cabinet approves legislation for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Kieran O’Donnell, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, welcomed today’s approval from Government to publish draft legislation to deliver the Programme for Government commitment for a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick. Furthermore, Government has decided that the election for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick will be held on the same date as the Local and European Elections in 2024, which will be held between 6-9 June 2024.
Minister O'Donnell said:
“I am delighted that Government has approved publication of this draft legislation to allow the people of Limerick city and county to directly elect a mayor with significant powers and that the election will be held on the same date as the local elections in 2024. Having a directly elected mayor will enable the people of Limerick to have a greater say over how services and infrastructure are delivered and how Limerick develops, as they voted for by plebiscite.
“This is a key milestone on the way to having the first directly elected mayor in Ireland and is one the most significant reforms of local government since the foundation of our state, with Limerick leading the way.”
At its meeting today, the government signed off on publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 which establishes the office of mayor and its mayoral functions, sets out the governance structures to support that office and provides a code for the election of the mayor. It also makes provision for holding plebiscites in other local authority areas on the question of whether to directly elect a mayor.
Minister O’Donnell added:
“The directly elected mayor will take on many of the executive functions which currently rest with the chief executive and will also take on a host of new functions, supported by a budget to implement the mayor’s programme and priorities.
“This legislation provides the Mandate, Structures and Means to deliver on the ambition of the office of the first directly elected Mayor of Limerick. It provides a major opportunity for Limerick to forge an enhanced local government. There is huge potential to develop service delivery and accountability locally, and to add value for all the people of Limerick.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the Oireachtas in the coming months to pass this legislation and pave the way for the mayoral election. Limerick City and County Council will be a very different local authority from the other 30 local authorities – working with Councillors and all stakeholders, a directly elected mayor will be a champion for Limerick city and county, and will have a place-making role for the county and region.
“I wish to thank the implementation advisory group, chaired by Tim O’Connor, for its work in producing their comprehensive report. The legislation is consistent with the report recommendations, including how the Council should be structured.
"Also, I wish to acknowledge the work of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on their pre-legislative scrutiny report on the legislation.
"Finally, I would like to recognise the valuable input of Councillors and officials in Limerick City and County Council in developing these provisions, and will continue to engage with them as we move closer to creating this historic office of a Directly Elected Mayor for Limerick.”
The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 will be published in the coming days.
Instead of the current ‘two-pillar’ structure, with the elected council and the chief executive performing the functions of Limerick City and County Council, under the new arrangements there will be a ‘three-pillar’ structure composed of:
The Mayor will take on executive functions, at a strategic or policy level, in areas including:
The Mayor will be responsible for proposing the annual budget to the Council.
The Mayor will be responsible for the current functions of the Cathaoirleach outside the Chamber, including the important representative role in Limerick, nationally and internationally.
A new role of Príomh Comhairleoir replaces that of Cathaoirleach who will chair the elected Council and act as its speaker (with support from the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir).
The Mayor will be an ex officio member of the council, in addition to the existing 40 members, subject to similar rights, responsibilities and duties as any other elected member.
New structures and functions for the mayor will include:
The Limerick Directly Elected Mayor will be a member of:
The current Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council will become the Director General, and will have operational responsibility for the running of the Council. A range of executive functions will also remain the responsibility of Director General, including:
The elected council will retain its primacy and have a governance role in the performance of the mayor. The mayor will be accountable to the elected council on his/her mayoral executive functions, including through the Mayor’s Report and Mayor’s Questions, at plenary council meetings.
The elected council has reserved functions. These will not change. They include: