Green TD: 'Broken system sparked bid to be Limerick's first executive mayor'

CITY TD Brian Leddin says the "broken system" in local government has led to him to declare himself as a candidate in the election for Limerick's new executive mayor.

The Green Party deputy, first elected as a councillor in 2019, and then to Dail Eireann in 2020, has become the first candidate in a mainstream party to declare they will run for the newly-created role.

Limerick is expected to go to the polls to elect a new first citizen with far-reaching new powers on the same day as the local elections in June 2024.

As it stands, Fionan Coughlan, an Independent, is the only other candidate to declare he is to seek election.

Mr Leddin said: "It's a huge opportunity for Limerick and the Mid-West region. Local government in Ireland is generally broken. The broken system we have had has led to an acceleration of the growth of the capital city in the last half century and a widening of the gap  between Dublin, the regional cities and the regions. It's been widening in great part because of this system we have in which all roads lead to Dublin."

Under the new proposed legislation, the mayor will have powers on policy and strategy in areas like housing, road transport, safety and environmental services.

Gardai attend three separate collisions on busy Limerick road

Three people were taken to hospital for injuries believed to be non-life threatening

Mr Leddin says he wants to push projects including offshore wind energy and public transport infrastructure in Limerick.

He pointed to his work as a local TD in the Dail, where the Green Party is the junior coalition party, highlighting plans to open suburban rail stations and the revitalisation of the Limerick to Foynes rail line.

"These ideas were completely fanciful before I was elected, but I've managed to get them rolling now. We see a new rural bus service being launched each week, which is having a dramatic positive impact for people across Limerick," he said.

Despite the position of his party in the polls, Mr Leddin believes the Green Party can defy this when it comes to the mayoral contest in Limerick.

"The feedback I get is very positive. Any politician has a finely-tuned antenna and we are always getting feedback. I think people recognise what the Greens are delivering for Limerick. I get people almost grudgingly saying to me, in fairness to us, we are getting a lot done. I think the respect is there," he said.

"People see me as fighting for Limerick above all, and if I'm selected that's what I'd do," added the TD.

An engineer by profession, Mr Leddin is well-versed in Limerick politics. Both his parents Kathleen and Tim were long-serving councillors, and had stints as the city's mayor.

He is also related to sitting Labour councillor Joe Leddin, whose ancestors also played a key role on the old council.