The cabinet has approved the drafting of legislation to allow for a directly elected mayor in Limerick.
The legislation is to be advanced as quickly as possible, with the aim of holding an election by the end of this year.
Mayor @cllrmcollins has welcomed the approval by Government for the drafting of legislation for the new role of Ireland’s first directly elected mayor with executive powers. The election is expected to take place before the end of 2021
— Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) January 26, 2021
In a statement, the Department of Local Government says the first mayoral term will run until the local elections of 2029.
From then the role would revert to a five-year term.
The mayor will have a salary of 130,000 euro in line with a Junior Minister.
They will have responsibility for most of the executive functions currently carried out by the Chief Executive, including, at a strategic and policy level, in the areas of:
- housing and building
- road transport and safety
- water services
- strategic management
- environmental services
- recreation and amenity
- agriculture, education, health
