I will speak to amendments Nos. 23 to 48, inclusive, which are grouped together for discussion. These are amendments to the existing tables in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 1, which list the functions of the príomh chomhairleoir and the director general, respectively. Amendment No. 23 deletes section 74(1)(b) as a function of the príomh chomhairleoir. Section 74 provides that a local authority may confer a civic honour, such as admission to honorary freedom of its area, on distinguished persons. This is a reserved …

It is indeed a historic day for Limerick. This is something I am incredibly proud to have brought through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Limerick is really leading the way. This is probably one of the most significant reforms in local government since the foundation of the State. The legislation also allows for plebiscites for all local authorities. We hope that many will take up this offer and go forward with establishing their own directly elected mayors. It is absolutely groundbreaking. The directly elected mayor…

You lead and we will follow.

I will speak on amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and amendment No. 32, which have been grouped for discussion. These amendments dealing with a miscellaneous amendment and consequential amendments to the Long Title, collective citation and commencement provisions. The miscellaneous amendment inserts a new provision into Part 8 of the Bill. It will amend the Land Development Agency Act 2021 to make provision for the Land Development Agency to raise funds through the performance of certain functions and through meas…

I thank Senators Cummins, Boyhan and Fitzpatrick for their contributions and support. I make the point to Senator Cummins that although the LDA has the capacity to borrow under the LDA Act, with prevailing rates, that is not possible. What we are doing here is putting a measure in place. We have already increased the equity stake from €1.25 billion to €2.5 billion in terms of investment by the State through ISIF. Now we are allowing it to look at alternative areas of funding up to €1.2 billion of a cap. In effect, …

The amendment seeks to expand the focus of the review of the Act. This will include identifying potential additional reserved functions for the elected council by assessing where powers of the mayor and the elected members intersect. I highlight that the purpose of this section is to allow for review of the operational effectiveness of this historic legislation. As the focus of the review will be on the new roles and structures in place in Limerick, it would not be an appropriate avenue for considering the powers o…

Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 relate to executive functions of the mayor and were both discussed on Committee Stage. Amendment No. 5 proposes that the function of a director general in Schedule 1, Part 2 may be conferred on the mayor by resolution of the elected council. Again, I emphasise that the mayor would be responsible for many of the executive functions of Limerick City and County Council. Only certain categories of executive functions remain with the director general, as we have discussed. The plebiscite should b…

This amendment, tabled by the Civil Engagement Group, was discussed on Committee Stage. It seeks to clarify that the mayor is accountable to the elected members for performance of his or her functions. I appreciate the Senators' intentions but reiterate the elected council will retain its primacy and the Bill does not change that. The elected members will have an important oversight role and the mayor will be accountable to the elected council under mayoral executive functions. Several formal structures underpin th…

Section 27 proposes the mayor may delegate in writing certain functions to the director general. This applies only to functions that transfer from the chief executive to the mayor when the latter assumes office. The amendment requires the elected members of Limerick City and County Council are notified when a function is being delegated to the director general or when a delegation is being revoked. The amendment was the subject of lengthy discussion on Committee Stage with Senators Higgins and Cummins. It is a posi…

Within this grouping, the Civil Engagement Group tabled a number of amendments to section 32, related to the delivery board, which I would like to address first. Amendments Nos. 20 to 22, inclusive, propose to increase the ex officio members of the board to include members of An Taisce, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Irish Wildlife Trust. As I outlined on Committee Stage, the composition of the board as set out in the Bill is designed to align with its intended primary functions, which involve the chai…

I welcome the contribution from Senator Boyhan. I also acknowledge the contribution to the debate by Senator Higgins in this regard. The amendments we are putting forward in this area will add constructively to the overall tenet of the Bill.

I will speak to amendments Nos. 12 and 14 to 18, inclusive, from the Civil Engagement Group and Government amendment No. 19 as they relate to the mayoral advisory and implementation committee and have been grouped for discussion. Amendment Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, relate to membership of the committee and seek to mandate representatives of An Taisce, the environmental pillar and the Irish Wildlife Trust as members of the committee. A key role of the committee, which the mayor will chair, will be to support the may…

That is healthy. We will take the amendment very much in the spirit in which it was tabled. I thank the Senator.

It is proposed to amend section 31 (4) regarding the mayoral programme. The mayor must present a draft of their mayoral programme for consideration by elected members of the council meeting. As drafted, the members would have to receive a copy of the draft seven days before the meeting, but the amendment will extend that period to 14 days. The Civil Engagement Group proposed a similar amendment on Committee Stage and I said I would reflect on that and come back to it on Report Stage. I have done so and believe a lo…

I thank the Senator and the other Members for their support and co-operation. Obviously, it is healthy for legislation to be debated. Amendment agreed to.

As mentioned, following discussion on Committee Stage about the importance of including on the transport subgroup a person who has relevant climate expertise, I have proposed a number of amendments to section 34 that I believe fully address the matter. Amendment No. 26 proposes that where the mayor is appointing a person to the transport subgroup, they will consult the EPA to ensure someone with the relevant climate expertise is a member. Amendment No. 28 proposes that the transport subgroup chaired by the mayor wi…

I thank Senator Higgins for her contribution and co-operation. I also thank Senator Boyhan for delivering that key message.

I also-----

-----acknowledge the presence and contribution of Senator Craughwell, which is hugely important.

I thank both Senator Boyhan and Senator Craughwell. I assure Senator Boyhan that I am always looking to improve the Bill. I reflected on everything when we were having the debate. I was of the opinion that it was covered. I went back and looked at the Bill again. Putting in the amendment, which in substance is what he provided, further strengthens the Bill. It puts front and centre the fact that the mayor will be driving the regeneration projects in Limerick city and county. This is what legislation is about. I hav…