Mayor of Limerick changes course on councillor's representation on boards

MAYOR John Moran has conceded that he will need to allow local councillors onto the boards of Designated Activity Companies, or Dacs, which operate at arm's-length from the local authority.

Shortly after he became Ireland’s first directly elected mayor, he tried to do away with the long-standing practice that council members would automatically join boards of companies like Limerick 2030, a firm responsible for transforming large parts of the city.

He believed board membership should be based on specific skills and experience relevant to that company’s work.

READ MORE: Limerick musical legends to feature in huge Hot Press gig along with iconic Irish artists

He invited councillors to formally apply for positions on these boards for assessment.

Councillors pushed back on this, and Mayor Moran sought advice from the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins.

He stated the important role these Dacs play: “The principle of democratic representation is therefore an important one and the appointment of elected members to Dacs is central to this to enable elected council members to fulfil their oversight and governance role effectively.”

Following this, Mayor Moran has decided to change course.

He has written to councillors inviting them to confirm on which company board they would like to serve, why they have chosen that firm, and why they believe they are suited to it.

In the letter, he admitted he has reservations about councillor representation.

He said he has reminded Mr Cummins of “the governance and risk issues that arise” from the current position, highlighting the “scale, commercial sensitivity and the statutory context of Dac activity in Limerick”