Directly elected mayor leads to a big shake-up in council administration

“IT’S THE most fundamental change in local government in 100 years. It’s groundbreaking and history making.”

The verdict of Dr Pat Daly, who, from next week, will become the first ever director general of a local authority in Ireland.

The election of an executive mayor in Limerick this week - or early next week - is going to lead to a huge shake-up in the administration of Limerick City and County Council.

Whoever is returned as Limerick’s first directly elected mayor will assume a huge swathe of powers, and will be responsible for a budget of €700m.

Up to now, that has been the responsibility of Dr Daly, who, for the last few years, has led Limerick’s local authority as its chief executive.

Although he will retain many responsibilities, many of the powers he currently holds will be handed over to Limerick’s first directly elected mayor.

The council boss says it’s “vital” the new structures work for Limerick, and stressed that the council’s workforce of more than 1,500 people will row in behind the new mayor.

“It’s my job as director general and with colleagues across the organisation to make it happen. The mayor can be guaranteed whoever he or she may be, of total and utter support to make it happen. That’s a guarantee - no problem,” he vowed.

The former Shannon Development boss says it’s in all of Limerick’s interest for this to be the case. “Limerick is on a growth path. I think the mayor is going to be part of it, so it’s key we continue our progress and even double down on it,” he explained.

He also pointed out an often overlooked fact: that after the president, the directly elected mayor will be the office with the next biggest vote behind it.

It’s a decade since Limerick City Council merged with Limerick County Council in what was a historic move.

Now, Limerick is creating more history by becoming the first city and county to elect a mayor following the passing of a plebiscite five years ago.

“If the next 10 years will be as good as the last 10 years, I will absolutely be very happy,” Dr Daly said. “We promised a new organisation which will deliver one vision, one voice, and one Limerick effectively through an organisation that was built on a culture of entrepreneurship. We will be risk-taking, enterprising, in addition to making sure we deliver the best quality services to the people.”

The council boss sees himself as working hand-in-glove with the new mayor, right from the get-go.

He said: “I want to see a seamless transition and that it becomes a very dynamic working partnership, not just with me as director general, with the staff, management and with the council as well, and they get to deliver fully their programme. And this becomes a real vision of new local government. And we continue the path on the progress we’ve made.”

Work is progressing at speed to complete a new mayoral suite in the council's corporate headquarters at Merchant's Quay in the city centre.

The facility will provide space for the five new staff that the directly elected mayor will be able to employ. There are meeting and function rooms for attending dignitaries.

Dr Daly stressed there will be an “open door policy” between the executive mayor and staff members, and there will be regular meetings.

“If there is any notion of resistance here - absolutely not. In fact, there is excitement to make it happen. Limerick were confident enough to take this decision, and I think it's a badge of honour for us,” he concluded.