Legislation governing Limerick's first directly elected mayor takes step forward

LEGISLATION underpinning the role of Limerick's first directly elected mayor has been passed in Seanad Eireann.

The move means Limerick will be able to vote for an executive mayor on June 7- more than five years after the electorate from across the city and county approved the measure.

Following the approval of the upper house of the Oireachtas, the legislation will now move onto President Michael D Higgins's office where it will officially signed into the law.

In effect, it will set in train the campaign for the first ever election for the prestigious role, with polling taking place in less than four months.

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Minister of State Kieran O'Donnell, the local TD who has spearheaded the legislation, has hailed the passage of the bill as a "groundbreaking" and "historic day" and added: "It's a new dawn for Limerick in terms of local politics."

"Change is never easy. I'm always conscious that not everyone voted for this, so we need to bring people with us," Mr O'Donnell added.

There have still been just two declarations in the race to become Limerick's first direcly elected mayor.

Before Christmas, Green TD Brian Leddin confirmed his intention to run.

Earlier this month, People Before Profit member Ruairi Fahy also threw his hat into the ring.

In recent weeks, well-known Limerick businesswoman Helen O'Donnell said she was weighing up a run for the role, as did the former secretary general at the Department of Finance John Moran.