Social Democrats intend to stand candidate for directly elected mayor in Limerick

THE SOCIAL Democrats have indicated they will stand a candidate in the first elections for a directly elected mayor in Limerick in 2024.

The Government signed off on publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 last Tuesday, which will establish the office of a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick.

Newly-elected party leader for the Social Democrats Holly Cairns was in Limerick on Tuesday and reacted positively to the news: “It's a slow move back to bringing power back into communities but it's really really welcome,” she said.

“The need for more power for local government, I think couldn't be more apparent. The centralised model of everything coming from Dublin really doesn't benefit the region. We've just got the news but we'll have a think and it'll be great to contest the elections.”

Works continuing to lift boil notice in Limerick

Under the new arrangements laid out in the bill, the current ‘two-pillar’ structure, made up of an elected council and chief executive performing the functions of Limerick City and County Council, will be replaced a ‘three-pillar’ structure composed of the elected council, the directly elected mayor, and the director general, formerly the CEO.

The mayor will take on executive functions in areas including housing, roads and transport, and will be responsible for proposing the annual budget to the council, and for the representative functions of the cathaoirleach outside the Chamber.

A new role of príomh comhairleoir will replace the cathaoirleach.

The current CEO of Limerick City and County Council will become the director general, and will have operational responsibility for the running of the Council. The mayoral elections will take place alongside local and European elections next summer.