Does the Acting Chairperson wish me to respond to amendments Nos. 4 to 7?

Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 in the names of Sinn Féin Senators Gavan, Warfield and Boylan are similar to the amendments tabled in the Dáil. They propose to reduce the review period for this Bill, when enacted, from three years after the office of the mayor is established to two years. I fully agree that the operation and effectiveness of the legislation should be subject to a review when a mayor has been in situ for a period of time. The Bill provides for such a review. As I said in the Dáil, then comes the question of…

I think it would be more appropriate for Senator Higgins to make her contribution now.

I thank the Civil Engagement Group for tabling amendment No. 6, which proposes to narrow the consultation on the review of the Act from consultation with Limerick City and County Council to consultation with only the elected council of Limerick City and County Council.

When we talk about Limerick City and County Council, we are talking primarily about the elected council but also the officials in the council as well, and the mayor. It is an inclusive-----

That is correct.

Yes, absolutely.

How can we talk about Limerick City and County Council without including the elected members? We cannot. Equally, in the spirit of co-operation, it is important to include the officials on the council as well, and also to include the mayor. Up to now we have have a two-pillar system consisting of the elected members and the CEO, manager, or whatever term one wants to use. It will be a three-pillar system. We will have the elected members, the director general, similar to the Secretary General of a Department, and t…

First, if Senator Gavan goes to section 7 of the Bill, it provides that the Minister “shall, not later than 3 months after the end of that period of 3 years, or on the completion of the review, whichever is the earlier, make a report, in writing”. The report has to be made, if he wants to go with his absolute, three years and three months after the mayor is elected. Second, it can be done. I would certainly hope that it would commence before that. If you have to produce a report within three years and three months …

The Senator is correct, in that the report has to be put before both Houses of the Oireachtas, which is the correct approach. It will obviously feed into the committee system as well. The Bill is true to what the people voted on, in term of powers. That is my abiding principle. The mayor will now bring forward a budget of €600 million to his or her colleagues in the chamber. He or she may well bring forward all development plans currently brought forward by the CEO. Furthermore, in Limerick and other areas, there a…

I propose to address amendments Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive, as they have been grouped together for discussion. Amendment No. 8, from Sinn Féin, to section 9 of the Bill proposes that the mayor shall not engage in any other form of paid employment during his or her term. I thank the Senators for highlighting this important point as the office of the mayor is a full-time role, with the successful candidate responsible for a wide range of functions across all aspects of local government in Limerick city and county. As di…

This important role is reflected in section 32, which provides for the mayor to establish a Limerick mayoral advisory and implementation committee. One of the functions of the committee, which is to be chaired by the mayor, will be, "to promote, foster and support economic, touristic, social and cultural activities in Limerick, in particular the rural areas thereof". I specifically came up with that wording. When I was doing the legislation as it was originally structured, there was a separate definition in the con…

All of us here are public representatives for Limerick. I believe that many of the points that have been raised in the amendments are included in the Bill. We can beg to differ but that is what I believe. Consequently, I cannot accept these amendments. I believe many of the matters have already been covered in the Bill.

I join others in paying tribute to a former distinguished Member of this House, John Bruton. I first extend my sympathy to his wife, Finola, their children and our colleague Deputy Richard Bruton. Above all, this is a personal loss, and that is something I would like to acknowledge. It is always very difficult to lose a father, a husband and a brother, and John was a colossus in their lives. I know how close they were. In the time I have, I want to reflect on the legacy of John Bruton. If you look at his career, it…

Frankie did not need it.

I acknowledge the indulgence of Senator Clonan in allowing us to proceed. I thank my colleague from Limerick, Senator Maria Byrne, for raising this important issue and allowing me the opportunity to provide an update on the vacant property refurbishment grant, know as the Croí Cónaithe grant. It is a key action under Housing for All, the Government's policy on housing. The vacant property refurbishment grant was launched in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe towns fund. Initially the amounts available were €30,000 f…

I thank Senator Byrne. As I have said, we want to see people in Limerick city and county taking up older properties. For those properties that have been vacant for more than two years and built prior to 2008 people will get a grant of €50,000 for either living in the house or renting it. If it is a derelict property they will get a further €20,000 to bring it up to €70,000. If people apply for SEAI grants on top of this they are probably looking at another €25,000. We very much want this to be seen as a way for peo…

No.

On a point of order, I am not here to take this matter. I came in for the previous debate. Out of respect for the House, I remained in the chair.

I will not be providing a response. I remained here out of respect for the House.