Clare TD wants legislation for new Mayor of Limerick 'paused'
A CLARE TD has claimed any future directly-elected Mayor of Limerick will be "another stuffed duck on the mantlepiece of Irish public life" if the draft legislation behind the role is enacted.
Michael McNamara has written to the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Minister-of-State Kieran O’Donnell requesting a pause on the presentation of a Bill to the Dail.
The Independent TD, who has previously expressed concerns about the legislation and the absence of powers for the position, is asking that the draft legislation is circulated to all opposition members before it is presented to the Dail, where it is likely to be rushed through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In his letter, seen by Clare Live, the independent TD says the new mayor will be "bereft of any powers to improve the lives of their voters".
He goes on to criticise the way the Bill is being progressed stating: "Effectively, there has been no parliamentary debate, or even examination, to date, of those powers that it is proposed will be withheld from the new Mayor even though a plebiscite on establishing the role of a directly elected mayor took place 2019."
Deputy McNamara has also expressed concern that he and other members of the opposition may not be given an opportunity to propose amendments to the draft legislation, if they wish.
"Without a memorandum setting out the powers that shall be withheld from the new mayor, and an opportunity to propose amendments thereto, as well as a possibility to debate the proposals, instead of law-making by the Oireachtas, law will effectively be made by unelected civil servants."
It is understood the Government is hoping to enact the legislation early in the New Year - paving the way for the first election next summer.