New mayor ‘must be a champion and ambassador’ for Limerick
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald spoke at campaign launch
LIMERICK’S new executive mayor must be “an advocate, champion and an ambassador” for the city, says Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald.
The leader of the opposition was in the city to launch the mayoral campaign of local TD Maurice Quinlivan.
Mr Quinlivan, who topped the poll in Limerick City at the last general election, is bidding to become the first executive mayor.
He was formally selected at the party’s Ard Chomhairle at the weekend.
On a visit to the Southill Area Hub, on the southside, Ms McDonald said: “Nobody loves Limerick quite like Maurice Quinlivan. “I think he will bring a lot of experience, a huge amount of empathy and, perhaps, above all else, he brings a sense of ambition for the role,” said the Dublin TD.
She also backed his idea of becoming a so-called ‘Minister for Limerick’.
“That’s the best way to describe what the mayor can be, and what the mayor must be. They must be an advocate, a champion, an ambassador for the city and county, for development, for tourism and all the big ticket items,” Ms McDonald added.
As well as a mayor, Limerick will elect local councillors and Members of the European Parliament on June 7 next.
Sinn Fein is running multiple candidates locally, and will also field Castleconnell-based Senator Paul Gavan in the Ireland South European constituency.
“Everywhere we are running, we are running to win. We have Tom Collopy and Sharon Benson as sitting serving councillors.
But we expect we will increase that come June 7. We’re taking nothing for granted. We know you need to go out and work hard to make it clear to people we are here to serve, to work hard in the community and roll up our sleeves. Our candidates have a hunger to be elected and for a strong campaign,” the Sinn Fein TD said.
Ms McDonald, a former student of University of Limerick (UL), also said the college’s staff “need to make themselves available to answer questions” following the latest crisis.
UL bosses were to appear before the Public Accounts Committee this Thursday in relation to a €5.2m overspend on housing in Rhebogue. It’s unclear whether they will now, with president Kerstin Mey declaring herself “incapacitated” and unable to attend due to illness. She has indicated she hopes to appear in future.
Ms McDonald said: “The president needs to make themself available to the Public Accounts Committee. That’s how it works.”